What medicine should a child take if he has a cold or low fever?
Recently, with the seasonal changes and the high incidence of influenza, the issue of medication for children with colds and low fevers has become a hot topic for parents. This article combines hot topics and authoritative medical advice from the entire Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with structured data and analysis to help parents scientifically respond to their children's colds and low fevers.
1. Common symptoms of cold and low fever in children

Colds and low-grade fever are usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
| Symptoms | frequency of occurrence |
|---|---|
| Body temperature 37.3℃-38.5℃ | More than 90% |
| runny nose | 85% |
| cough | 75% |
| decreased appetite | 60% |
| mild headache | 40% |
2. Recommendations for commonly used drugs
Pediatric experts recommend that the following medications may be used to relieve symptoms:
| Drug name | Applicable age | Main functions | Usage and dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ibuprofen suspension | More than 6 months | Reduce fever and relieve pain | 5-10 mg/kg based on body weight, once every 6-8 hours |
| Acetaminophen oral solution | more than 3 months | Reduce fever | 10-15mg/kg, once every 4-6 hours |
| Children's aminophenol and xanthanamine granules | 1 year old and above | Relieve cold symptoms | Take according to the instructions for age and dosage |
| Physiological seawater nasal spray | All ages | Relieve nasal congestion | 3-5 times a day |
3. Medication precautions
1.Body temperature monitoring: It is recommended to measure body temperature every 4 hours. If the temperature is below 38.5℃, physical cooling can be given priority.
2.Drug contraindications: Avoid using multiple antipyretics at the same time and be wary of duplication of drug ingredients
3.Special groups: Children with underlying diseases or allergies must take medication as directed by their doctor.
4.Medication time: Antipyretics should be used continuously for no more than 3 days. If symptoms are not relieved, seek medical attention in time.
4. Dietary auxiliary program
| food type | Recommended food | Efficacy |
|---|---|---|
| liquid food | Millet porridge, vegetable soup | Replenish moisture and nutrition |
| fruit | apples, pears, oranges | Supplement vitamin C |
| protein | Steamed egg custard, fish paste | Easy to digest and absorb |
5. When Do You Need Medical Treatment?
You should seek medical attention immediately if:
| Symptoms | degree of danger |
|---|---|
| High fever (>39℃) lasting for more than 24 hours | ★★★ |
| Listlessness or unusual irritability | ★★★ |
| Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing | ★★★ |
| rash appears | ★★ |
| Refusal to eat or drink | ★★ |
6. Preventive measures
1. Maintain indoor air circulation and a humidity of 40%-60% is appropriate
2. Wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with people with colds
3. Add or remove clothing in time according to temperature changes
4. Ensure adequate sleep and balanced nutrition
In the recent "Misunderstandings about Cold Medication" that has been hotly discussed on the Internet, experts specifically remind:Don’t use antibiotics blindlyCommon colds are mostly caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not only ineffective but may also destroy intestinal flora. Parents should be scientifically aware of the course of colds. Symptoms usually subside within 3-5 days. Overuse of medication may cause side effects.
The content of this article combines the latest guidelines from the National Health Commission, the recommendations of pediatric experts from tertiary hospitals, and recent authoritative media reports. We hope to provide practical reference for parents. Remember, every child’s constitution is different, please refer to your doctor’s diagnosis for specific medication.
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