Suggest Treatment For Respiratory Tract Infection In An Infant

Posted on Sun, 25 Jan 2015

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

Sun, 25 Jan 2015 Answered on

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My son is 2.6 month and he is suffering from running nose , cough fever . I was also suffering from the same scenarios and admitted to hospital 1 day is it related to viral fever.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
consult your pediatrician,it may be viral or bacterial

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Cough and fever in this age group can either be due to viral or bacterial infection. You have not mentioned the proper diagnosis for which you get admitted.
The main aim in this age is to differentiate whether it is upper or lower respiratory tract infection. If there is increased respiratory rate,increased chest wall retraction and if baby is looking sick and not accepting orally well, then all this goes in favour of lower respiratory tract infection which is comparatively more serious condition.
Unlike in adults even viral infection in these babies can progress to a serious condition called bronchiolitis.
Mostly in infants respiratory infections are acquired from family members.
So I would suggest you to give paracetamol for fever and continue breast feeding if baby is accepting comfortably and to visit your pediatrician as he can assess the condition of baby more appropriately.If it is upper respiratory tract infection then no need to worry and if there is involvement of lower respiratory tract it can be diagnosed at early stage and can be managed properly.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj