Question
The baby had a clear runny nose after coming home yesterday and coughed this morning. We went to the hospital this morning, and the diagnosis was acute upper respiratory infection. What should we do? Do we need to take other medicine?
Answer
Based on your description, the baby may have caught a cold (i.e., upper respiratory infection) due to exposure to cold air. Traditional Chinese medicine categorizes colds into wind-heat and wind-cold types, with clear runny nose being a symptom of wind-cold. Colds usually occur when the body’s resistance drops after exposure to cold, allowing viruses, mycoplasmas, or bacteria to enter the body, causing symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and sore throat. The runny nose and cough you described may be due to acute catarrhal inflammation caused by the cold, leading to congestion and swelling of the nasal mucosa, resulting in increased secretions. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much. Please drink plenty of fluids to aid in the metabolism of medication; pay attention to staying warm, adjust clothing as the weather changes, and avoid catching a cold again. I hope my explanation is helpful!