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Suggest Treatment For Throat Pain And Cough In A 5 Year Old

Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015

Question: Hi Doctor, my daughter is 5 years old and is having throat pain and cough. Have been doing saline gargles since yesterday morning but not much of a relief. Is active otherwise but not feeling like having anything to eat.

My son (1.4 yrs) also had common flu since last 5 days but after taking medication (syp. Mextra, syp Ascoril and syp Meftal P since he also had fever) is feeling better now.

Pls advise medication for her.

Regards,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Dont use Meftal-P

Detailed Answer:
Hi...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 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.

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 (7 minutes later)

These medicines were for my son who had common flu and is doing fine now.

My question was for my daughter ( 5yrs)who has throat pain and cough. Saline gargling since yesterday is not helping much. Pls advise.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like viral pharyngitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi...This looks like viral or streptococcal pharyngitis.

My suggestions -

1. Get a rapid antigen test and a throat swab culture test done for streptococcal sore throat.

2. If the Rapid antigen test is positive - then she needs antibiotics.

3. If it is negative we can wait for the throat swab culture test without antibiotics.

If you cannot get either of the tests done at your place -

1. Start Amoxicillin at 80mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses for 10 days.
2. Continue salt gargling with warm water.
3. For cough you can use same Ascoril-D at 5ml thrice a day for 5 days.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (21 minutes later)

Can you pls suggest if Augmentin or Augmentin DDS should be started.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can use

Detailed Answer:
Hi....you can use Augmentin or Augmentin DDS.

If you can get back with weight of the kid I can suggest you the appropriate dose for your 5 year old please.

The suggested dose is 40mg/kg/day of Amoxycillin in the combination of Amoxycillin-Clavulenate (the drug in Augmentin).

Regards Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (33 minutes later)

Her weight is 22kg. Have given 5ml of Augmentin duo(3.3g/30ml), 5ml Ascoril D, also gave her 5ml Alrid since she had blocked and stuffy nose along with Saline water gargles and steam inhalation at bed time.

Her throat pain seems to have subsided now but she has bad cold and cough. This morning the moment she woke up threw a lot of phelgum after coughing (pale yellow).

Pls advise.

Thankyou!

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestion on treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi...what you have done is right. Please continue the antibiotic Augmentin for a total of 10 days.

Other supportive you are continuing like Alerid and Ascoril-D can be continued.

Vomiting of phlegm is a good recovery sign. Do not worry.

She will be alright in a 24-48 hours. Don't worry.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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