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Suggest Medication For Cough And Cold In A Child
Brief Answer:
I agree that that is a lot of antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Most colds do not need antibiotics and can lead to diarrhea (from disturbing the bowel flora) and resistant strains of bacteria, so that when an antibiotic is needed, it does not work. Colds are from viruses, and so antibiotics will not do much for them. They usually go away in 10 days or so. That said, if there is pneumonia (seen via chest Xray), then an antibiotic is indicated. Also antibiotic is important for strep throat.
Consider saline drops for stuffy nose, and an occasional decongestant, when she is sick. A mucolytic such as guaifenesin may help with congested coughs (encourage drinking plenty of water for it to work well).
Make sure your child is not around cigarette smoke as that can increase the rate of upper respiratory infections.
As much as possible, when she has been somewhere public, wash her hands (just with soap and water - you don't need anything special) when she comes back home so that she does not put germs she picked up in her eyes or nose when she touches her face.
You may also want to think about whether she seems to have allergies in between these colds, such as to pets, molds, dust. Allergies can increase the likelihood of respiratory infections because of the increased secretions that are present with allergies. If you are suspicious that this is the situation, then an allergist can help.
Regarding the white heads - I do not know what that is without seeing it, but sometimes children can get perioral dermatitis or just some pimples. Sometimes this can come on from certain medications, or occlusion from lotions, petroleum jelly, or other things that clog the pores.
I agree that that is a lot of antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Most colds do not need antibiotics and can lead to diarrhea (from disturbing the bowel flora) and resistant strains of bacteria, so that when an antibiotic is needed, it does not work. Colds are from viruses, and so antibiotics will not do much for them. They usually go away in 10 days or so. That said, if there is pneumonia (seen via chest Xray), then an antibiotic is indicated. Also antibiotic is important for strep throat.
Consider saline drops for stuffy nose, and an occasional decongestant, when she is sick. A mucolytic such as guaifenesin may help with congested coughs (encourage drinking plenty of water for it to work well).
Make sure your child is not around cigarette smoke as that can increase the rate of upper respiratory infections.
As much as possible, when she has been somewhere public, wash her hands (just with soap and water - you don't need anything special) when she comes back home so that she does not put germs she picked up in her eyes or nose when she touches her face.
You may also want to think about whether she seems to have allergies in between these colds, such as to pets, molds, dust. Allergies can increase the likelihood of respiratory infections because of the increased secretions that are present with allergies. If you are suspicious that this is the situation, then an allergist can help.
Regarding the white heads - I do not know what that is without seeing it, but sometimes children can get perioral dermatitis or just some pimples. Sometimes this can come on from certain medications, or occlusion from lotions, petroleum jelly, or other things that clog the pores.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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