Treatment Stories

Precision Care for Colds, Ear Infections & Chronic Colds

Tuntun Children's Hospital is here for every step of your baby's growth journey.

chronic cold

Precision Care for Colds, Ear Infections & Chronic Colds

Most childhood colds pass quickly and mildly.
But when they keep coming back or linger for too long,
Ear Infections (Otitis Media), 부비동염 (축농증) 등으로 이어질 수 있습니다.

At Tuntun Children's Hospital, we don't treat every cold the same way.
By carefully evaluating the duration of symptoms, recurring patterns, and accompanying signs,
we provide an accurate diagnosis and a step-by-step treatment plan tailored specifically to your child.

Is Your Child's Illness,
정말 그냥 감기일까요?

Are you noticing any of the following symptoms lingering or frequently returning?

These signs suggest that a "differential diagnosis" may be necessary:
콧물이 2주 이상 계속됩니다
감기처럼 기침이 자주 나고 쉽게 낫지 않습니다
약을 먹으면 좋아졌다가 다시 반복됩니다
밤에 기침이 심하거나 코골이가 있습니다
감기가 오래가면서 중이염이나 축농증이 자주 동반됩니다

If these symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks or keep recurring, it might not be a simple cold.
There could be underlying causes such as
otitis media, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies, or bronchial hyperreactivity.

Colds,
Why Do They Affect Every Child Differently?

Because children’s immune systems are still developing, they naturally catch colds frequently.
However, when a cold drags on, the issue is often not the cold virus itself, but rather how your child's body reacts to it.

Underlying Causes to Rule Out in Chronic or Recurrent Colds
  • 부비동염(축농증)
    끈적한 콧물, 코막힘, 얼굴 통증·두통, 오래 가는 기침
  • 아데노이드 비대
    입으로 숨쉬기, 코골이, 반복 중이염
  • 알레르기성 비염
    맑은 콧물·재채기·가려움, 환경·계절에 따라 악화
  • 기관지 과민/천식 가능성
    밤에 심해지는 기침, 쌕쌕거림, 운동 후 기침

※ Please note: These do not apply to every child. Following precision medicine principles, we perform evaluations selectively based on your child's symptoms and progress.

Ear Infections (Otitis Media),
‘정확한 구분’이 중요한가요?

Ear infections are very common in children, but not all of them follow the same course.
Because recurrent or improperly treated ear infections can be dangerous,
조기 진단보다 ‘정확한 구분과 추적’It is vital to: 증상이 가볍게 보여도 고막 상태와 염증 양상을 직접 확인해야 판단할 수 있습니다.

  • 1

    Hearing loss

  • 2

    Delayed speech and language development

  • 3

    Chronic otitis media

  • 1

    Ear pain, fever, and fussiness

  • 2

    Frequently tugging or rubbing the ear after a cold

  • 3

    Unexplained irritability and difficulty sleeping

  • 4

    (In toddlers) Delayed speech or turning up the TV volume

Our Approach to Colds, Ear Infections & Chronic Colds
Here is How We Are Different

At Tuntun Children's Hospital, we don't believe in a "test-first" approach.
Our core principle is precision care that starts with an accurate differential diagnosis.

Our Principles of Precision Care
1

가장 기본적인 진찰부터
basic physical examination.

2

모든 아이에게 같은 검사나 치료를
approach to testing or treatment.

3

증상 · 진찰 소견 · 경과를 종합해
by comprehensively evaluating symptoms, exam findings, and progress.

Precision Evaluations
Performed Only When Necessary

Ear Infection (Otitis Media) Evaluations
Otoscopic Examination (Ear Exam)

We check for eardrum redness, the presence of fluid (effusion), and eardrum mobility
to confirm the presence and severity of inflammation.

Hearing Tests (Based on age and condition)

We assess how the ear infection is affecting your child's hearing, check for eardrum damage,
and evaluate the functional impact of otitis media with effusion.

Chronic Runny Nose, Congestion & Cough Evaluations
Imaging Tests

Depending on the symptoms and physical exam findings, we take a step-by-step approach
to examine the sinuses and surrounding structures through imaging.

Sinus Status Evaluation
& Imaging Tests

We carefully select only the most appropriate tests based on your child's age, symptoms, and clinical progress.

Available Imaging Tests
  • 엑스레이(X-ray)
    기본적인 부비동 염증 여부 확인
  • ENT CT
    반복 중이염·만성 부비동염 의심 시 정밀 구조 평가

※ Following our principles of precision medicine, we never perform unnecessary testing.

Treatment & Ongoing Management 방향 결정

The goal of treatment isn't to prescribe "strong" medicine,
but to provide exactly the right level of care your child needs.

In many cases, medical
treatment is not required.

It is common to simply observe
your child's progress without antibiotics.

For recurring symptoms,
a long-term management strategy tailored to the root cause is essential.

Good to Know

A Message
to Parents
  • Catching frequent colds doesn't automatically mean your child has a weak immune system.
  • The most important thing is accurately identifying the specific type of cold or ear infection your child has.
  • Precise medical judgment reduces the unnecessary use of medication and protects your child's healthy growth and daily life.
Who Should
Visit Us?
  • Children who frequently catch colds that keep coming back
  • Children with a history of recurrent ear infections
  • Children with a runny nose or cough that lingers for a long time
  • Children who have trouble sleeping at night due to coughing or nasal congestion