Suggest Treatment For Cough Followed By Vomiting

Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014

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

Mon, 8 Sep 2014 Answered on

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : MY 13 YEAR OLD SON IS HAVING SEVERE COUGH FOR PAST 20 DAYS WITH NO FEVER OR PAIN ANYWHERE. BUT WHEN HE COUGHS IT RESULTS IN VOMITING (SOMETIMES ITS FOOD AND PHLEGM AND SOMETIMES ITS ONLY PHLEGM).HE HAS BEEN GIVEN SALBUTAMOL INHALER , SEROFLO INHALER ALONG WITH ANTIBIOTIC BUT HAS NOT GOT MUCH RELIEF, WHAT DO I DO?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upper respiratory infection/ steroids

Detailed Answer:
Hi...I agree to the fact that it might be due to wheeze too. But if its not settling even after salbutamol inhaler means...there are 2 possibilities-
1. He might get better with steroids orally
2. He might get better with oral cough suppressant like Benadryl cough formula 5ml thrice a day for 3 day.
Kindly consult your pediatrician regarding reassessment & steroid usage.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (18 minutes later)

I'M SORRY THAT I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT HE WAS PUT ON ORAL STEROID SYRUP -OMNICORTAL( I HOPE I HV SPELT IT RIGHT) 10ML ONCE A DAY FOR 5 DAYS i.e from 1/09/14 to 5/09/14. coughing has reduced but not much. He is now able to sleep at night but day time he coughs quite often.
Q1 WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM TO EAT?
Q2. HAS HE GOT WHOOPING COUGH?
Q3 CAN HE ATTEND SCHOOL ? IS THE COUGH INFECTIOUS?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
suggestions

Detailed Answer:
Hi....coming to your queries directly -
1. You can give him anything to eat....no restrictions.
2. Unlikely... But whooping cough is a clinical diagnosis... Can be diagnosed only after hearing the child coughing.
3. If he's not breathless... He can go to school.
4. This is a cough due to wheeze and is not infectious.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (19 minutes later)

DOCTOR HAD WRITTEN ' Pertussis COUGH' ON PRESCRIPTION ,WHICH HAS GOT ME WORRIED.
Q1 DO YOU THINK I SHOULD ADMIT HIM IN A HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER CHECK UP ON THIS?
Q2 WHILE COUGHING HE DOES BECOME BREATHLESS, IS THIS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?
Q3 ANY KIND OF PHYSICAL EXERTION LEAD TO A SEVERE BOUT OF COUGH?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on Pertussis

Detailed Answer:
HI...when a pediatrician has already diagnosed Pertussis, I suggest you the following.

1. No need to admit in a hospital.
2. Pertussis coudh will make kids breathless and if he is breathelss, I suggest you give him 2 puffs of Asthalin.
3. Not only exertion, but even laugh can cause this, the solution is the same, Asthalin inhaler and this is quite common now as the season is bad.
4. Coming to your last question - if it si pertussis cough - it is infectious to others.
5. If it is Pertussis the cough can persist even upto 6 weeks.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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