What Causes Cold And Cough In A Child?

Posted on Tue, 23 Sep 2014

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

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 Answered on

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter is 3.5 years old and has a running nose & intermittent coughing for few days now. Otherwise, she is healthy (no fever, vomitting etc.) and very active.
We apply vicks at night and occasionally use nasivion drops to unblock the nose.

We thought it to be an interim problem due to weather change. However, it has persisted over 2 weeks now. Pls advise.

Thanks,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be due airway hyper reactivity

Detailed Answer:
Hi
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Greetings of the day

Dear XXXX

The cause of persistent symptoms is likely to be due to

1. Persistent Hyper reactivity of airways : Some children develop airway hyper receativity following infection

2. Persistent infection

In the absence of fever it is likely to be due to 1st cause.

I would suggest the following remedy

1. Steam inhalation: preferably using electronic steamer , 10-15min each session thrice a day(maintain safe distance)

2. Warm Saline gargling: To a glass of lukewarm add 2 spoons of salt. Make baby gargle

3. Comination of Levocetrizine and Montelukast ( Syrup can be used): It will decrease the airway hyper reactivity

4. Decoction: 1 cup of milk+ 20 Tulsi leaves+ 1 spoon of turmeric+ 2 spoon sugar. Bring it to boil. Filter it and give child warm. Give it thrice a day

The above remedy will be very helpful

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon

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