Runny nose from a cold: Does your child need antibiotics?

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Van Thai - Ear, Nose Throat Doctor - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

A cold is a viral illness and there is no antibiotic in the world that can help fight it. That means antibiotics don't always work for symptoms like a runny nose caused by a cold. In addition, using antibiotics when they are not needed can make them less effective which can sometimes lead to antibiotic resistance.

A cold is a viral infection that causes infections in the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It is also known as acute nasopharyngitis and acute rhinorrhea. This is a common infectious disease in humans and is mainly caused by corona virus or rhino virus.
Colds can be transmitted through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing or touching infected surfaces.

When the cold virus first infects the nose and sinuses, the nose then secretes mucus. This helps the virus to flow from the nose into the sinuses. After two or three days, with the fight of the body's immune system, the fluid will change to white or yellow.
When the bacteria living in the nose grow back during the recovery phase, the mucus will now turn green. This process is completely normal and does not mean that a child with a cold needs to take antibiotics.

Usually when a child has a common cold and has signs of a runny nose, antibiotics do not need to be used to treat. Because antibiotics don't work against cold or runny nose viruses. Even if the mucus is thick, it's yellow or green. To explain why not using antibiotics to treat is because unnecessary antibiotics will not help reduce cold symptoms but also harm the child's body. Taking antibiotics can sometimes create resistant bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance occurs, when bacteria will grow faster and be able to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. Also, whenever antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and can lead to antibiotic resistance. Common side effects of antibiotics are rash, dizziness, stomach problems, and yeast infections.
A runny nose is a very normal part of a cold. Your doctor or nurse may prescribe other medications or give you advice to help relieve symptoms such as fever and cough.
There are a few things that can help your child feel better when they have a cold and a runny nose.
● Give your child plenty of fluids and rest. That will help thin the mucus and make it easier to cough up.
Use a humidifier or steam. Hot showers can be great for loosening mucus. Or breathe in the steam from hot water.
Use saline nasal spray or nose drops
For young children, a rubber suction bulb can be used to clear mucus
For older children, steam from a bowl of hot water or a shower can be used lotus
● Use honey to relieve cough (usually used for children under 1 year old)
Cold is a very common disease that often thrives in the changing seasons from October to March next year. In a year, a person can be infected 2-3 times, but for children, the number of infections will be about 6-10 times higher because the child's immune system is not yet mature and the child is not able to protect himself from infection. source of viral infection.
Besides, the incidence is also increased in the elderly or people with weak immune systems. The disease is not dangerous to the body, but it makes the patient uncomfortable and has many troubles in daily life. Without the guidance of a doctor, do not overuse antibiotics to treat cold symptoms because it can make the condition worse.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
BSCK II Nguyen Van Thai was formerly a Doctor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the Department of Otolaryngology - Hue Central Hospital with more than 17 years of treatment experience, especially in the field of Head and Neck Surgery. Currently, he is an Otolaryngologist at the Inter-Specialist Clinic of the Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
Articles refer to sources: cdc.gov, webmd.com
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