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Suggest Remedies For Severe Cough And Cold In An Infant

Posted on Mon, 3 Oct 2016

Question: My son is 2.5 years of age and weighs 13.55kg.. He is got severe cough and cold since Wednesday. Also got fever since the day. 1st day we gave calpol it didn't work hence Thursday we consulted the Doc. As calpol didn't help was asked to give Metal P 3. 5ml every 6 hourly if fever persists. Sinarest 3ml thrice a day and Asthalin 5ml thrice a day for cold and cough respectively. Also was told if fever is not reducing in a day to start with Azee 200 antibiotics 3ml once a day.We started with antibiotics from Friday. No significant improvement is seen. Kindly suggest.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like viral illness - Avoid Meftal-P and antibiotics please

Detailed Answer:
Hi... Greetings from XXXXXXX

Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.

Fever of few days without any localizing signs could as well a viral illness. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day.

If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics (LIKE AZITHROMYCIN) at all.

Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.

Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (maximum ceiling dose of 500mg) every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.

Meftal-P contains Mefenamic acid which is a NSAID. It carries the risk of gastritis and renal problems in the long run. Please do not use Meftal-P.

Cough and cold are viral 95% of the times in children. For cold you can use anti-allergics like cetirizine and for nose block, saline nasal decongestants will do.

For cold you can use Cetrizine at 0.25mg/kg/dose every 12 hourly for 3 days.

For nasal block, plain saline nasal drops will do, every 4-6th hourly to relive nasal congestion.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (16 minutes later)

doc here said she is suspecting Dengue hence Meftal over ibugesic...son is very active when the fever is low... only in the eve he starts coughing rapidly and then fever ...after Meftal fever goes down but cough continuous..plz advise

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Even Meftal-P contains Mefenamic acid which is an NSAID

Detailed Answer:
Hi....I understand your concern.

If Dengue is being suspected, all the more Meftal-P should not be used as it contains Mefenamic acid which is a NSAID. NSAIDs work as qnti platelet agents and should be avoided when viral illness like Dengue is being suspected.

The child being very active when the fever comes down and with associated cough - this looks like a viral illness to me. Please give only Paracetamol for fever.

Avoid combination of Paracetamol and NSAIDs please.

I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.

Once the page opens there will be an option below my image as – ASK ME A QUESTION – click on it.

Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (24 minutes later)

which one do u suggest for fever...calpol doesn't work for him

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Syrup P-250 4ml

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... Syrup P-250 can be given in the dose of 4ml every 4-6th hourly that too only if fever is more than 100F.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 days later)

thank you doctor, his fever is gone but his appetite is gone less than 1/4th of actual diet...nor is he taking milk, fruits which is his regular diet...he also has cough and running nose...plz advise

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Appetite will be low during viral illness - don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... he is just recovering from a viral illness.

Usually any fever will cause low appetite not only in kids but also adults. So do not worry.

As the fever completely settles down he will start eating as his usual self.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar