Question

My child is two and a half months old, and lately, they always have a stuffy nose when sleeping at night, making it difficult for them to sleep well. A few days ago, I also had a cold. Could this be contagious to my child? If the stuffy nose is due to a cold, what should I do? What if it’s just a common cold? Do I need to go to the hospital? The hospitals here aren’t very good; doctors always suggest hospitalization and intravenous drips. Can anyone help with an answer? Thank you.

Answer

Hello: Considering your baby might have caught a cold. In addition to common symptoms like a stuffy nose, runny nose, and sneezing, pediatric colds often include symptoms like fever, cough, and may also involve digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. The condition can progress rapidly, so timely treatment is necessary. Treatment for pediatric colds should not simply involve reducing the dosage of adult medication but rather using medication specifically designed for children. Common Western medications include Children’s Tylenol, which is used for symptomatic treatment of pediatric colds and can alleviate various symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. For children aged 2-5 years, take 5 milliliters per dose, and for children aged 6-11 years, take 10 milliliters per dose, three to four times a day. Common traditional Chinese medications include:

  • Children’s Cold Decoction: Made from mint, hoelen, platycodon grandiflorus, indigo plant leaves, pericarpium perillae, and gypsum, it has the effect of releasing the exterior and dissipating heat. It is suitable for children with general colds accompanied by fever and can also be used for influenza with fever. Take 3-6 grams per dose, three times a day.
  • Children’s Cough Balls: They have the effects of detoxifying and clearing heat, resolving phlegm and coughing. They are suitable for treating children with wind-cold syndrome accompanied by cough and excessive phlegm. For children under 3 years old, take half a pill per dose, twice a day; for children over 3 years old, take one pill per dose, twice a day.
  • Children’s Zibao Pills: They have the effects of releasing the exterior, resolving phlegm, improving digestion, and calming the mind. They are suitable for children with wind-cold fever,