When Children Have Cold and Fever
▲ Correct Understanding of Fever
Human body maintains constant temperature through an efficient mechanism of heat production and dissipation. Under neural regulation, heat production and loss remain balanced, keeping body temperature stable. Stable temperature is vital for normal physiological functions because most physiological processes require enzymes. Enzymes are proteins whose activity depends on a constant temperature. Extreme temperatures—either too high or too low—can denature proteins, disrupting essential biological activities. However, when body temperature rises slightly, before affecting enzyme activity, certain physiological processes actually become more active. For instance, white blood cells responsible for engulfing pathogens become significantly more active at higher temperatures, enhancing their phagocytic ability compared to normal conditions. Additionally, antibodies that destroy bacteria also become more effective at elevated temperatures. These phenomena collectively support the body’s defense mechanisms and aid in eliminating pathogens. Thus, moderate fever is beneficial—it's a protective physiological response.
▲ What Parents Should Do When Their Child Has a Cold and Fever?
1. Carefully monitor symptoms. Fever is a common symptom across many illnesses. Only through detailed observation can parents assist doctors in accurately identifying the cause. Pay attention to the child’s mental state, consciousness, accompanying symptoms, signs of limb convulsions, timing and pattern of fever, frequency and volume of urination, presence of petechiae or rashes on skin, etc.
2. Apply proper physical cooling methods. Physical cooling is the safest and most effective approach. Keep the room quiet and well-ventilated, maintain indoor temperature between 20°C and 22°C. Loosen the child’s collar and pants to facilitate heat dissipation. Avoid overdressing or tightly wrapping the child, as this may cause discomfort and agitation.
(1) Ice Pack Cooling: Place small ice cubes in a plastic bag and apply to the back of the head, underarms, and groin areas. A hot water bottle may be placed under the feet to reduce cerebral congestion and promote heat loss. Cooling the head especially enhances brain tolerance to hypoxia.
(2) Alcohol Rubbing: Use 30%–50% alcohol for rubbing. Pause longer over major blood vessels such as neck, armpits, and groin. Never rub the back of the neck, chest, abdomen, or soles of feet. Avoid alcohol rubbing for children with skin bleeding points, bleeding tendency, high fever with chills, or newborns. Stop immediately if shivering, pale face, abnormal pulse or breathing occurs during rubbing.
3. Administer fever-reducing medication as directed by doctor. Use only when physical cooling proves insufficient. Typically recommended when rectal temperature exceeds 39°C or axillary temperature exceeds 38.5°C.
4. Ensure bed rest, provide adequate nutrition, and encourage fluid intake. Offer light, easily digestible, high-sugar and high-vitamin liquid or semi-solid food. Encourage drinking plenty of water. Avoid strong tea and cold drinks. Limit eggs and spicy foods.
5. Maintain oral and skin hygiene. High fever increases risk of stomatitis, glossitis, and oral ulcers. Older children should rinse mouth with saline solution 3–4 times daily. Infants should have their mouths cleaned daily and be encouraged to drink water to keep the mouth clean. Excessive sweating may cause skin itching and inflammation. Keep skin clean, change clothes promptly, bathe regularly, and ensure the child feels comfortable and refreshed.
▲ Should Antibiotics Be Used for Cold?
Some parents automatically give antibiotics when their child catches a cold. Medical experts point out that about 90% of colds are caused by viral infections, making antibiotic treatment ineffective. Simple remedies like fever reducers, cough suppressants, and rest usually suffice for recovery. Recent studies show that 80% of acute pharyngitis cases are viral, unrelated to bacteria—thus antibiotics are unnecessary. To minimize side effects, avoid overusing antibiotics for colds and acute pharyngitis. Antibiotics should only be used under medical guidance when acute tracheitis or pneumonia occurs. Dosage and duration must strictly follow doctor’s instructions—do not increase dosage or extend treatment arbitrarily. Overuse of antibiotics causes serious harm: unnecessary toxic side effects, occasional anaphylactic shock leading to death; possible permanent hearing loss; toxic hepatitis or kidney dysfunction; impaired hematopoietic function causing bleeding and anemia; nausea, vomiting, rash are common side effects. Drug-resistant bacterial infections: Overuse suppresses sensitive bacteria, allowing resistant strains to proliferate, potentially causing severe pneumonia, enteritis, meningitis, liver abscess, or sepsis—much harder to treat. Secondary fungal infections are also likely. Vitamin deficiency: Some vitamins (e.g., vitamin K and certain B vitamins) are synthesized by normal gut bacteria. Long-term broad-spectrum antibiotic use suppresses intestinal flora, reducing vitamin synthesis and causing deficiencies. Increased future treatment difficulty: Frequent antibiotic use leads to widespread drug resistance in human or environmental bacteria, making future infections harder to treat.
▲ Preventing Cold-Induced Otitis Media
The most common cause of otitis media is dysfunction of the Eustachian tube connecting the middle ear to the lower front part of the nasopharynx. Normally, air continuously enters the middle ear via the Eustachian tube to balance pressure between the middle ear and outer ear (both sides of the eardrum), maintaining normal hearing. When colds, pharyngitis, sinusitis, or tonsillitis occur, air cannot enter the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, leading to otitis media. The air inside the middle ear gets absorbed without replenishment, creating negative pressure. This causes mucosal congestion, swelling, and exudation, resulting in inward collapse of the eardrum. The condition becomes acute catarrhal otitis media. As fluid is absorbed, it thickens, causing the collapsed eardrum to stick and fixate. In severe cases, ossicles may also adhere, leading to progressive hearing loss. Treatment involves administering anti-inflammatory drugs while using nasal vasoconstrictor drops to shrink the mucosa around the Eustachian tube opening, widening the passage to allow fresh air entry and regulate middle ear pressure. When fluid accumulates significantly, tympanocentesis (draining fluid via puncture) is performed, followed by Eustachian tube insufflation to prevent eardrum adhesion.