01

Use aspirin for children with colds?

-Should not

When a child has a cold, do not use aspirin. Because this medicine has been linked to Reye's syndrome - which is potentially life-threatening to a child.

You should give children other medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol…, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin...). However, parents need to pay attention to ensure that children use the correct dose and according to the instructions. You should consult your doctor before giving your baby any strange medicine if in doubt.

02

Do not take antibiotics for colds?

Antibiotics are used to fight bacteria while new viruses are the known cause of colds. Therefore, antibiotics are not a specific medicine for colds. 

However, your doctor may still prescribe you some antibiotics if there are other complications. For example, congested nasal sinuses and stagnant substances inside can cause inflammation and bacterial infection. 

The symptoms you experience then are usually a runny or stuffy nose, feeling pain and pressure on the face, headache. In addition, you sometimes get ear infections after a cold and need antibiotics to treat them. 

Symptoms include: earache, fever or feeling of fullness in the ears, tinnitus.

03

How to prevent colds?

Although there is no vaccine to prevent the common cold, you can take steps to prevent the spread of the virus that causes it:

• Wash hands clean. Always wash your hands frequently and properly with soap and water. At the same time, you also need to talk to young children about the importance of hand washing and teach them how to wash their hands. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Disinfect furniture. Always clean kitchen and bathroom countertops with disinfectants and disinfectants, especially when someone in the family has a cold. In addition, children's toys also need to be cleaned periodically.
• Use paper towels. Cough and sneeze into disposable tissues and dispose of them in the trash after use. Then, remember to wash your hands carefully. If a tissue isn't available, learn to cough or sneeze into your elbow instead of covering your mouth with your hand.
• Do not share utensils. Do not share drinking glasses or personal utensils with family members, especially with someone who has a cold.
• Take care of yourself. Eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can all help prevent colds.
• Don't go to crowded places during a cold or flu outbreak.

04

Should not go outside with a cold?

You're contagious for the first few days of a cold, so it's best to stay home afterward. You need to be careful when coughing and sneezing around others.

In addition, you will recover faster if you are rested.