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What Causes Recurrent Cold And Cough In A Child?
Posted on
Sat, 17 Dec 2016
Sat, 17 Dec 2016
Answered on
Sat, 7 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
My 2.5 yr old son weighs 12kg is frequently getting cold followed by cough. I did take him to doctor and he said there is no sign of infection. He gave the cheston syrup and asked to give 3.5 ml twice a day. But I don't see any difference in his condition. It's been a week since he got his cold. He does go to playschool.can you suggest me an antibiotic for this. I know it's not advisable but he isn't sleeping enough . He does cough badly at night. So do pls suggest me an antibiotic for cold n cough. Thanku
My 2.5 yr old son weighs 12kg is frequently getting cold followed by cough. I did take him to doctor and he said there is no sign of infection. He gave the cheston syrup and asked to give 3.5 ml twice a day. But I don't see any difference in his condition. It's been a week since he got his cold. He does go to playschool.can you suggest me an antibiotic for this. I know it's not advisable but he isn't sleeping enough . He does cough badly at night. So do pls suggest me an antibiotic for cold n cough. Thanku
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to a viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections and when a doctor says that there are no signs of infection, he actually means that there seems to be no bacterial infection. In other words, he is pointing to a viral cause which irrespective of treatment usually spontaneously resolves in 5-7 days. Some children are more prone to such infections and there is not much to be done about it.
Medicines are unlikely to help. You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion. Just sit with your child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief. Use Nasoclear saline nasal drops in case of nose block. In case of a nasal block the child often does not sleep well.
Antibiotics do not help in a viral infection. Hence I would insist you not to give one. If you still want one, feel free to pick one as all would be equally useless. Please be patient, it should spontaneously resolve in 5-7 days. It is a very bad practice to give antibiotics without a confirmation of raised leucocyte count.
Give him colorful fruits and vegetables regularly. They contain vitamins, minerals and plenty of antioxidants which should help in boosting the immunity of your child.
Please be patient. The weakness will gradually go away.
Hopefully that would help. Feel free to write back in case of further queries.
Regards
Likely to be due to a viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections and when a doctor says that there are no signs of infection, he actually means that there seems to be no bacterial infection. In other words, he is pointing to a viral cause which irrespective of treatment usually spontaneously resolves in 5-7 days. Some children are more prone to such infections and there is not much to be done about it.
Medicines are unlikely to help. You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion. Just sit with your child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief. Use Nasoclear saline nasal drops in case of nose block. In case of a nasal block the child often does not sleep well.
Antibiotics do not help in a viral infection. Hence I would insist you not to give one. If you still want one, feel free to pick one as all would be equally useless. Please be patient, it should spontaneously resolve in 5-7 days. It is a very bad practice to give antibiotics without a confirmation of raised leucocyte count.
Give him colorful fruits and vegetables regularly. They contain vitamins, minerals and plenty of antioxidants which should help in boosting the immunity of your child.
Please be patient. The weakness will gradually go away.
Hopefully that would help. Feel free to write back in case of further queries.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanku doctor. I did started putting steam vapor in the room when he is asleep. Shall I continue to give the syrup or do u suggest another one ?? Do let me know
Brief Answer:
You may discontinue the syrup
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. The syrup is optional. You may feel free to discontinue it. No other medicine or syrup needed.
Regards
You may discontinue the syrup
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. The syrup is optional. You may feel free to discontinue it. No other medicine or syrup needed.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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