What is the reason for continuous diarrhea in a 6-month-old child after a cold and fever?

Patient's question:

BR>Specific situation: My child caught a cold while sleeping at night on April 10th. On April 11th, he had a slight fever, around 37.5 degrees Celsius. Since it wasn't high, we didn't give him any medicine, just made sure he drank more water and sweated it out. By April 13th, the fever hadn't subsided and reached 38 degrees Celsius. In the afternoon, he started having diarrhea. The doctor at the hospital said it was caused by the cold, leading to a sore throat, fever, and subsequently affecting the digestive system. The diarrhea was due to indigestion and didn't require treatment, so he only prescribed fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory medicine (Xiao'er Jinqiao Granules and Cefalexin Granules). After taking three doses, the fever gradually subsided, and we gave him three more doses. We stopped giving him medicine in the evening on April 15th. Current condition: The body

Doctor's answer:

Hello:
It seems natural to give children cold and flu medications when they have a cold. However, in reality, most cold medications only relieve some symptoms but do not shorten the duration of the illness. If used improperly, they may even cause adverse reactions.
For example, children's fast-acting cold tablets are composed of diphenhydramine, paracetamol, caffeine, and artificial gall. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can easily dry out the respiratory mucosa, increasing the risk of infection. Some children may also experience side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, and sluggishness after taking it. Paracetamol is an antipyretic and analgesic that weakens the body's self-defense mechanism. Long-term use can lead to liver and kidney damage. Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the gastric mucosa.
It is generally believed that cold medications are most effective when taken in the early stages of a cold, specifically on the first or second day (especially for children with fever). Using them later in the illness or after the fever has subsided is not very meaningful.
It is also important to note that this medication should be avoided in newborns and used with caution in infants. It should not be used for prevention, as it is ineffective in preventing either viral colds or bacterial infections.
### Antipyretics
Many parents worry that a child's fever will cause convulsions or lead to pneumonia. As a result, they use antipyretics as soon as their child's temperature rises. However, fever is a process that activates the immune system. It creates unfavorable conditions for the growth of microorganisms and may even render them inactive, serving as a defensive response by the body. Using antipyretics to forcibly lower the temperature can weaken the immune system, hinder recovery, and prolong the illness.
Generally speaking, antipyretics are more appropriate when a child's temperature exceeds 39°C. For children with a history of high-temperature convulsions, antipyretics can be given earlier based on their temperature during each episode. When the temperature is below 39°C (except for children with a history of high-temperature convulsions), antipyretics should not be used. Instead, measures such as lowering room temperature, loosening bedding or clothing, increasing air circulation, and drinking cool water or beverages orally can be taken to reduce body temperature. Antipyretics should be used as little as possible in infants under 6 months old.
### Anti-diarrheal Medications
When a child has diarrhea, many parents often ask doctors to prescribe anti-diarrheal medications, hoping to stop the diarrhea quickly, or they give their children anti-diarrheal medications themselves, believing that as long as the diarrhea is stopped, the illness will be over. In reality, diarrhea is also a defensive response by the body to fight disease. When the intestines are infected, the intestinal mucosa becomes congested, swollen, and secretes more fluid. Subsequently, increased intestinal peristalsis and defecation responses cause diarrhea, allowing large amounts of pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins to be expelled from the body.
Anti-diarrheal medications can inhibit intestinal peristalsis, delay the passage of feces, and cause pathogenic microorganisms to linger in the intestinal cavity. Although diarrhea may be reduced after taking the medication, the absorption of toxins and other harmful substances remaining in the intestines can worsen systemic poisoning symptoms. Therefore, parents should not use anti-diarrheal medications freely when their child has diarrhea.
Additionally, since Imodium has high toxicity in children, it should be avoided in children under 5 years old. If the diarrhea persists, a bacterial culture can be performed to identify the cause and check for bacterial or viral infections. If the test is negative, no treatment is needed. At this point, it is advisable to feed the child easily digestible foods, such as egg yolks, as eggs contain a type of oil that can help with diarrhea. My advice is for your reference, but it should not be used as a basis for treatment.