Question
What medication should be used for a child who experiences nasal congestion at night and has yellow phlegm upon waking up?
Answer
For children who have nasal congestion at night and produce yellow phlegm in the morning, it is often considered a sign of respiratory infection. It is recommended to strengthen the child’s physical fitness through exercises, which can enhance their resistance to diseases. Additionally, encouraging deep breathing with the window open allows the child to inhale cooler, fresher air, thereby strengthening their respiratory resistance. Once the child becomes accustomed to deep breathing with the window open, outdoor activities can be further encouraged. Simultaneously, children should be encouraged to spend time outdoors, get plenty of sunlight, and engage in activities like soaking feet in warm water or washing their face, hands, and feet with cold water. On this basis, a gradual progression to the three types of bathing exercises (sunbathing, water bathing, air bathing) can be implemented for better effects. In terms of diet, obtaining various essential nutrients helps to boost the child’s immunity. If a child is deficient in trace elements such as zinc or vitamin A, it may lead to recurrent respiratory infections. By making appropriate dietary adjustments and increasing the intake of zinc or vitamin A through supplements or treatments like zinc preparations and vitamin A capsules, the child’s immunity can be significantly improved, and the incidence of respiratory infections can be reduced. Furthermore, timely vaccinations such as measles, pertussis, and rubella can effectively enhance a child’s immunity against these respiratory infectious diseases and interrupt their spread in the population.