Column October 19, 2025
Pediatric Recurrent Respiratory Infection — A Cold Every Month
Hyo-seop Kim
Chief Director
Table of Contents
Why does our child get sick so often?
A child attending daycare or kindergarten catches a cold once or twice a month, and just as one cold seems to clear, another runny nose or sore throat starts. Antibiotics are prescribed repeatedly, weakening the gut and creating a vicious cycle.
The unique nature of pediatric immunity
Children under 6 still have an immature immune system. Six to eight colds per year are within the normal range, but when illness occurs more than twice a month or each cold drags on for 2 to 3 weeks, immune support is needed.
The Korean medicine approach: Improving lung-spleen qi deficiency (肺脾氣虛) constitution
- Modified Okbyeongpung-san (玉屛風散, Yu Ping Feng San): Astragalus, Atractylodes, and Saposhnikovia tonify defensive qi (衛氣) and strengthen the skin's protective barrier — the signature formula for pediatric immune support
- Modified Samso-eum (蔘蘇飮): When residual cold symptoms remain alongside weak constitution
- Gyeongokgo (瓊玉膏): A gentle tonic that nourishes the lungs and the spleen-stomach simultaneously — well suited to children
The link with enlarged tonsils and adenoids
Repeated infections enlarge the tonsils and adenoids, triggering a chain of nasal obstruction → mouth breathing → sleep apnea → impaired growth. Korean medicine treatment aims to reduce inflammation and boost immunity to keep the enlargement in check.
Lifestyle care for pediatric immunity
- Regular sleep (10+ hours) — growth hormone and immune cells are activated during sleep
- Outdoor play and natural sunlight exposure — vitamin D synthesis is essential for immunity
- Diligent hand-washing habits — the most effective way to block infection