How Can Severe Congestion Leading To Loss Of Appetite And Sleeplessness In An Infant Be Treated?

Posted on Wed, 13 Jun 2018

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 Answered on

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : My son is two months old and has bad congestion he doesn't have any cold .. but has phlegm and always makes sound . Due to this he is unable to feed or sleep please advise.. my doc prescribed levolin respusle but i don't find any improvement

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly due to viral cause.Irrespective of treatment it may last for 7days

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Most often such episodes are due to some viral infections and usually they have an allergic component associated. I would insist you to try giving her Atarax Drops (hydroxizine) thrice daily for the next few days. I would need to know the body weight and age to be able to suggest the dose. Feel free to give levolin nebulisation.

You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion and thereby the cough. Just sit with the child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the phlegm and thus would provide relief.

If your child is otherwise active and playful, I would not be concerned. If not, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor and to get the child evaluated. If the respiratory rate is greater than or equal to a certain rate (dependent on the age) you would need to take her to a doctor for the possibility of underlying pneumonia. If the rate is lesser, you need not worry.

I hope that I could clear your doubts. Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (10 hours later)

Thanks doc.. he is 2.5months old and weight is 5.3kgs... he suffers to breath in at night and we can hear the sound of his congestion clearly... I have been giving him elzir syrup drops twice mrng n night 0.5ml... n levolin respusle nebulization mrng n evening Since 3days . . Can I give him mucolite drops instead of elizr n I really don't find nebulization effective as he doesn't inhale at all from the mask.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bronchiolitis

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. You can give mucolite drops. Nebulization is important even if you do not observe any definite improvement. No need to use the mask. Give without it. Give Atarax (hydroxizine) Drops 0.5 ml thrice daily orally. Please be patient.

Could the respiratory rate for a full one minute. If the number of times the chest moves up is more than 50, you need to seek medical assistance. If less, you need not worry.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (11 hours later)

Hello doc.. I have given my.baby atarax 0.5ml today how many days should I give him this.. I see that hus congestion is more during evening.. and he sound sleep n doesn't cry at all in the morning. I'm still worried if atarax is safe as it acts on Central nervous system and he just two month old

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
follow-up.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Atarax is widely used in children of this age and is tolerated well. The main side effect can be increased sleeping but that is not a cause for concern. If given in the correct dose you need not worry.

Please be patient. The congestion will take about a week to resolve. If the child is otherwise active and playful, no need to worry.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee