Question

What should I do if my child has a cold with a stuffy nose and phlegm in the throat?

Answer

  1. Take your child to see a doctor, who may suggest a series of checks to determine the cause of the fever.
  2. If the fever is viral, there is usually no specific medicine, so the main focus should be on taking good care of the child to alleviate symptoms. Improvement is typically seen within 7 to 10 days.
  3. If the fever is caused by bacteria, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, and it is essential to take them as directed. Some parents may increase the dosage to hasten recovery, but this is absolutely not recommended as it may have the opposite effect.
  4. If the child has a fever, follow the doctor’s instructions for taking antipyretics, and only administer them when the body temperature exceeds 38.5℃. Do not give children cold medicine arbitrarily, as for infants under 1 year old, taking cold medicine usually does more harm than good.
  5. If the stuffy nose causes difficulty in breastfeeding, consult with a doctor. They may prescribe some saline nasal drops. Apply these 15 minutes before breastfeeding and then use a nasal aspirator to remove the saline and mucus from the nostrils. Saline can dissolve thick mucus, making it easier to clear. Never use vasoconstrictive or other medicated nasal drops without a doctor’s permission.