Should children with colds and fevers go to the hospital? In the past, parents would rush their children to the hospital without hesitation. Nowadays, however, the prevailing approach is to avoid hospital visits. So, what are the common myths surrounding the treatment of childhood colds? Debunking Four Major Myths About Childhood Colds (Public Health Network) Myth 1:Antibiotics are absolutely forbidden for children with colds
At some point, many parents began viewing antibiotics as a major threat, refusing to give them to their children. If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, they might even suspect the hospital is just trying to make money. But is it truly impossible to use antibiotics for colds?
To answer this, we must start with the concept of a cold. Doctors explain: "The term 'cold' is a colloquial expression, not a professional medical term.What we commonly refer to as a cold generally means acute upper respiratory infection (URI) and gastrointestinal-type cold (also known as vomiting-type URI)." Acute upper respiratory infections typically occur in the respiratory system, affecting the nose, throat, and larynx. Gastrointestinal-type colds generally refer to conditions like pediatric enteritis, autumn diarrhea, acute gastritis, and acute gastroenteritis, sometimes called "stomach colds."
Since 90% of childhood colds result from viral infections, antibiotics targeting bacteria are generally unnecessary. However, nothing is absolute—the remaining 10% may stem from bacteria, mycoplasma, or other pathogens. Without timely antibiotic treatment, some bacterial illnesses could worsen.
Myth #2: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic and should not be given.>Children with colds often develop fevers. While parents can usually tolerate symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and runny noses, they often become anxious when their child has a fever. Influenced by the belief that "children abroad don't take medicine for fevers" and fears fueled by social media claims that "ibuprofen and acetaminophen have been exposed as toxic,"many parents persist in using physical cooling methods and refuse to administer fever-reducing medications.
Doctors view this as a misconception among parents. They state: "Currently, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are globally recommended for pediatric fever reduction. Among these, ibuprofen is the only fever-reducing medication for children jointly recommended by both the World Health Organization and the U.S. FDA. Beyond these two medications, there are no more suitable options for pediatric fever reduction.While it's true that all drugs carry some risk of toxicity and side effects, withholding medication when needed can worsen the condition—for example, by triggering febrile seizures."
In fact, ibuprofen is not only used for pediatric fever but also for treating rheumatic or rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions.As long as parents follow the instructions, significant side effects are uncommon, since the listed dosages are safe and far below those used for rheumatic conditions. Myth 3: Chinese medicine has fewer side effects than Western medicine for colds Many parents perceive Chinese medicine as visible herbal ingredients, while Western medicine is processed chemical preparations. Thus, they assume Chinese medicine must have fewer side effects.Medical professionals argue this is another common misconception. The perception that Western medicine has more side effects stems from its detailed listing of contraindications and potential adverse reactions in the package insert. This thorough documentation reflects the depth of research into the drug, not an indication that everyone will experience these side effects.
Myth Four: Colds are minor ailments
While colds are indeed minor illnesses, they can lead to complications. During outbreaks, the high number of cases makes them impossible to ignore. Untreated viral infections can spread to nearby organs, causing other diseases. A common example is when infection spreads to the sinuses around the nasal cavity, resulting in sinusitis (also known as paranasal sinusitis).causing worsening headaches and nasal congestion, thick yellow nasal discharge, and sometimes tenderness when pressing the face or nasal bridge. If these symptoms persist 10 days after the initial cold onset, it indicates sinusitis.
Parents must be aware of these four common myths about childhood colds. Additionally, it's essential to know what foods are beneficial for children during a cold:
1. Ensure adequate vitamin A intake. Deep yellow fruits and vegetables like persimmons and carrots are rich in beta-carotene.
2. Zinc-rich foods. Zinc is most abundant in meats, seafood, and poultry.
3. Iron-rich foods: animal blood, dairy, eggs, spinach, and meats.
4. Red fruits and vegetables: tomatoes, red amaranth, red peppers, carrots, red dates, sweet potatoes, and other red foods are rich in vitamin C, which boosts resistance to viruses.