Question
A two-year-old girl has been continuously sneezing and has a runny nose, with the mucus flowing out like water. She has taken the children’s paracetamol and cephalexin granules three times, but the effect is not significant. How should she be treated?
Answer
Sneezing and a runny nose in a two-year-old baby are typically caused by a common cold, a disease that is self-limiting. If there are no complications, it can usually heal naturally within one to two weeks. If the child’s cold symptoms are mild, they usually just need to be well cared for. However, if the symptoms are severe, symptomatic treatment can be administered. It is recommended to give the child plenty of water to drink, ensure adequate rest, and consume vitamin C. The diet should be light and easy to digest. You can use a warm towel to apply heat to the child’s nose, which can cause the nasal mucosa to contract, making the nasal passages more open and allowing thick mucus to liquefy and flow out more easily.