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What to Do When Children Get Sick During Lunar New Year? Doctor Explains Emergency Room Standards and Key Points for Preparing Medications

Three Common Pediatric Illnesses During Lunar New Year. (Photo / Provided by Heho Health)
Three Common Pediatric Illnesses During Lunar New Year. (Photo / Provided by Heho Health)

The Lunar New Year holiday lasts for nine days, leaving many parents concerned about hospital outpatient services being closed and how to deal with a sick child. Dr. Lee Min-Chun, the Pediatric Department Director at Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, points out that the three most common types of illnesses among children during the Lunar New Year are:

  1. Infectious Diseases (e.g., colds, gastroenteritis)
  2. Non-Infectious Diseases (e.g., allergies, asthma attacks)
  3. Injuries (e.g., mosquito bites, falls)

At-Home Care Guidelines

If a child’s symptoms are mild—such as a fever below 38°C with normal activity levels, or occasional vomiting or diarrhea with low frequency—parents can care for them at home. Follow these three principles:

Ensure Rest: Keep the child well-rested and reduce physical activity.
Hydration: Offer 500-1000cc of clear fluids but avoid forcing excessive water intake.
Light Diet: For gastrointestinal issues, provide a diet of light, liquid foods to aid recovery.If a child has a high fever above 39°C and significantly reduced activity levels, it may be necessary to visit the emergency room for a doctor's evaluation. (Photo / Provided by Heho Health)

When to Seek Emergency Care

Immediate medical attention is required if:

★ Fever exceeds 39°C, and the child appears lethargic with significantly reduced activity levels.
★ Gastroenteritis is accompanied by frequent vomiting or diarrhea (5-6 times or more), especially if bile (yellow-green substance) is vomited.
★ Symptoms are unclear, or parents are unable to assess the severity of the illness—when in doubt, consult a doctor for safety.

Essential Medications and Precautions

Keep these medications at home:

Child-Specific Fever Reducers (e.g., cooling patches, fever syrups, or suppositories).
Cold Syrup (for mild symptoms such as coughing or a runny nose).
Probiotics (to help alleviate gastrointestinal issues).
Asthma or Allergy Medications (for children with a history of related conditions).

Precautions:
★ Avoid self-medicating for infants under 1 year old; consult a doctor directly.
★ Seek medical attention if symptoms persist for more than three days without improvement.
★ Follow dosage instructions carefully to avoid overmedication.
★ Discard opened liquid medicines after one week; unopened medicines can be used until their expiration date.

During the Lunar New Year, most major medical centers and children’s hospitals have 24-hour emergency services, and some even offer special outpatient clinics. Parents are encouraged to check medical resources in advance to ensure quick access to care when needed, safeguarding their children’s health.

This article is published with permission from Heho Health.

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