Suggest Remedy For Cough And Chest Congestion In A Child

Posted on Fri, 27 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 27 Nov 2015 Answered on

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Sir,

my kid is 6 yrs old.she is suffering with cough and phlegm since 2 months.fever is on and off.cough is reducing but not completely going.
all blood tests are done and chest x ray also.
doctor said that everything is normal.now she is taking

maclar 125 5ml twice a day.yesterday only started and montina-l 5ml.
and nebulization levolin 0.63 twice a day

fever is came down.phlegm is not going completely.what is the reason?
please tell me the solution
thanking you,

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue the treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM

I understand your concerns but don't worry. The most likely reason for such long lasting coughs, phlegm and intermittent fever episodes without any positive lab investigation/chest x ray in this age group is atypical bacterial infection or allergic episode. Maclar, levolin and montina I are appropriate for its treatment. The dose seems to be appropriate as per your child's age. Hopefully the condition will improve in a week.

If the fever improves but cough persists then Budecort or Foracort MDI will be of value. They have mild steroids which help in healthy regeneration of lung environment. But doses needs to be appropriate as per the symptoms. So, consult your pediatrician for clinical examination before starting it. Continue Montina I for at least 2 months.

Hopefully it will be of help. I would be happy to help you in any further questions.

Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Archana Verma (20 hours later)

mam

thank you for your quick response.from today morning fever is below 100.but

yesterday night she suffered with nose block.doctor gave ascoril flu syrup.it can be used for cough

also. because she is getting cough with yellow phlegm.when will phlegm cleared

completely?

thanking you

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not worry and continue the treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Do not worry. Continue with the treatment. The phlegm and cough will improve within a week. Give her plenty of warm water and other fluids such as soups, milk along with healthy balanced diet.

Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Archana Verma (6 hours later)

mam

doctor gave ascoril flu for cold.she is getting cough he gave xpect a.can i give both

or xpect a is enough

thank u

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Give ascoril flu and hold xpect a

Detailed Answer:
Hi
You may give him Ascoril a and avoid X pect a for the time being. Rest continue the treatment as advised earlier. X pect a has dextromethorphan which is more useful in dry irritant cough.

Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Archana Verma (16 hours later)

thank u mam

i am giving ascoril flu only.yesterday cough is there but the phlegm is whitish

colour.but today the phlegm is again in green colour.why so?

whether the phlegm will go completely or not?

tomorrow antibiotic course will be over.

i am worrying about phlegm and cough.as long as cough is there she will get

fever again.levolin also stopped.

please suggest something

thank u
xxxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Complete Maclar for 7 days course

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Since the cough and phlegm is persistent, so I would recommend to complete Maclar for 7 days before stopping. Also continue with levolin nebs and ascoril flu for 5 days. Montina I needs to be continued for at least 2-3 months. Hopefully this will help him. In case the cough and phlegm persists, then repeat clinical evaluation, chest X Ray and sputum examination will be of value.

Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Archana Verma (4 days later)

thank u so much mam for your answer.its a great releif.today we went to pediatric

pulmonologist .he said everything is ok.not a serious problem.she is getting little

cough with slight phlegm.he gave budesal 1mg capsules 4 per day for 4 days with

3% ns 2ml.is it ok for my kid or it is a heavy dose?

mam what r TB symptoms.how can we recognise that?mam is it ok to give her

zincovit syrup.

thank u mam

xxxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The dose of budesol should be decreased

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxx

I would recommend to start with Budesol 0.5-1 mg respules by inhalation twice daily. The dose as per your doctor seems to be high for his age. Give 3 % saline nebulization 4-6 times daily other than budesol. 3% saline frequency can be reduced gradually and stopped once the phlegm becomes minimal. Continue with montina I and stop levolin once you start budesol.

Hopefully it will be of help.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Archana Verma (2 days later)

mam

thank u .i didn't gave any nebulization.she is fine .but she is getting cough very

little with that junky sound with slight phlegm.when will it go completely?

now i am giving montina-l 5ml at evening.do u suggest any cough medicine for

complete relief.

thank u

xxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue with Montina I

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxx

I would recommend you to continue with Montina I along with 3% saline nebulization twice daily. The sound will hopefully improve in a week time. Don't worry as 3% saline nebs are completely safe for kids.
Give him plenty of warm water daily. Citrus fruits, dry fruits especially almonds and walnuts will be useful. Ensure regular healthy diet and good proteins. Breathing exercises such as blowing balloons or spirometry also helps in a long run.
Take care

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

Follow up: Dr. Archana Verma (24 hours later)

thank you mam

mam i am not able to get the 3% saline.it is only available in 100 ml bottle.

5ml and 10 ml are not available.if i take 100ml bottle after opening how many

days i can use it?

any cough medicine required?

she is not going to school.i am afraid that she will get attack again if she went

to school?

again if she get fever what next?

thank u
xxxxxxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Purchase 100 ml bottle

Detailed Answer:
Hi
3% saline is usually available in 100 ml bottle pack. So, purchase and use it. You may give it over a fortnight.

If the cough is better and she is afebrile, active and alert, then send her to school as per routine. Do not worry. Hopefully she will be fit and fine.

For any future health related questions you may always send me the query.

Take care

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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