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Suggest Treatment For Cold And Cough In An Infant

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Posted on Sat, 27 Sep 2014
Question: My 7 and half month old baby is having cough and cold for more than 10days. We had been giving her
1. Zyrtec drops twice a day for Running nose but stopped after her runny nose was ok.
2. Asthalin 2ml thrice a day as doc said she has a viral wheeze as she kept coughing.
3. Steam inhalation
Runny nose and cough again bcame more from today. So we are still continuing to give asthalin syrup for her.
10days back we gave T-minic and tuspel plus for her cold for just two days.
Now she is on asthalin thrice a day nothing else. Her cough is more and cold is therr in her chest as well.
Am not happy with asthalin as am still giving and doc had asked to continue fa another 1week.
please advice. She has trouble breathing durin night times so I giv nasal saline drops. I dont wan to use a nebulizer as that would bcum a habit for her and moreova she doesnt have asthma or permanent wheezing. This is first time. Pleas advice. Prefer a paediatrican advice plz. Thank you

doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Continue Normal Saline Nasal drops

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms Aish

Being a parent myself I understand your concern and apprehension. Majority of respiratory infection are viral in origin and self limiting.
The cause of persistent could be due to following

1. Persistent airway hyper reactivity: post infectious there could be persistent hyper reactivity of airways inducing bronchospam and causing cough

2. Dry air: Dry air causes spasm



If the following criteria are fulfilled there is no cause for concern

1. Absence of Fever
2. Accepting feeds well
3. Sleeps comfortably after feeds
4. Respiratory rate is less then 50 per minute
5. Chest movements are normal and baby is comfortable while sucking milk


I would advise the following

1. Continue steam inhalation: Hot and humid air in room is less likely to provoke spasm

2. Normal Saline Nebulization: I would agree that Asthalin Nebulization is not required. Just plain Normal Saline Nebulization is very much beneficial and free from any side effects

3. SOLVINCOLD AF drops will be very helpful

4. Apply Vicks Vaporub over the clothes and a very little over the nose

5. Continue using Normal Saline Nasal drops

6. Antibiotics: Syrup Azithromycin 10 mg per kilogram body weight per dose once a day for 3 days


Do keep me updated about the progress.
Wishing your XXXXXXX speedy recovery

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS, MS, MCh
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (10 minutes later)
Thank you for the quick response doctor.
She has trouble breathing during night times and doesnt sleep properly even after givng nasal saline drops every half hour.
Coughing is more from today and is it because of wheezing. If yes can I continue astgalin for one more week?
I dint wish to give antibiotics. Please suggest an alternative doc. Cos she keepa getting cold and cough every month.
how do I check her chest movements and resp rate?
She is a bottle fed baby. 8kg. 7 and half month old.
Prolonged coughing and nose block is the major concern now. Asthalin is the only med am using right now. Its been more than 10days. Kindly give me a remedy. Thank u doc.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Continue Nebulization

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms Aish

One outward and inward chest movement is counted as one respiratory rate.
Its Okay if you do not want to give antibiotics, I would still recommend it in view of persistent cough for 10days.
As previously mentioned using plain normal saline Nebulization is also equally beneficial. Weight wise was baby is okay. Prolonged coughing is also likely to be due to post nasal drip of secretions into throat causing cough. Following the advise previously mentioned will be helpful.

Do get back to me for any further assistance.

Regards
Dr Deepak
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (22 hours later)
Thank you. She is feeling kinda better today. I had given her nebulization. Saline nasal drops and asthalin as well.
please clarify
1. Will nebulization bcum a habit if I keep using it for her?
2. What kind of foods should I avoid giving for a viral wheeze?
3. How do I prevent her from getting this wheeze again?
4. Does tis mean she will be having a permanent wheeze lifelong?
5. Asthalin is also for adults is it? As the bottle does not have a paediatric sign?
Thanx in advance.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Nebulization is not habit forming

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Dear Ms Aish

Its good to know she is better today

1. Nebulization is not habit forming and there is no cause for concern.
2. No special food precautions required. Avoid oily and refrigerated things during respiratory symptoms
3. Its quite common to see children have repeated respiratory infection. I would suggest the following
* Wash the clothes , bed sheets, pillow covers in hot water after washing with detergent. It will help remove trace of diet and mites
*. Himalaya Septilin syrup is known to boost immunity and helpful in prevention of repeated respiratory infection

4. It definitely does not mean she will have wheezing problem in adulthood. Do not be worried

5. Asthalin is also used in adults. The same preparation is also used in babies/children. There is no cause for concern.


Take Care

Regards
Deepak
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (42 hours later)
Thank you doctor. She is completely okay .. though she has little cold in her chest.. I guess that would come via her stools if am not wrong?
1. She keeps falling ill every month. Is it bcause of this reason only she still did not sit by herself. She is almost 7.2 months now and has not sat still. She just rolls over.. Is it some thing to do with her health?
2. I should avoid giving her solid foods when she has cold and cough? As she has difficulty swalloeing cos of phlegm?
Thanx again doc
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No diet restrictions

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms Aish

There is no need of avoiding anything. Give her whatever she likes. Frequent illness is more likely to be due to weather condition.
Also do not be worried about her not being able to get up, it is just normal. If baby is unique and have their own developmental milestones. It is nothing to do with her health. If she is joyful, playful, eating well and sleeps well then there is no cause for concern.

No diet restriction and no relation to phlegm. I would also advise the following


It is important that you start introducing a variety of food in your toddler's diet gradually. These will provide the calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals that are essential for his growth. The amount of food eaten would vary from child to child and would also depend on when you introduce a particular food to your toddler. Most of the times it is "Try and Error" method. Lots of patience would be required from your end to find out what is that diet which tickles your toddlers tastebuds which also contains maximum nutrients. You need to try multiple ones and find which your child loves to eat amongst those. Initially it may be difficult from shifting to solid/semi-solid feed from milk based diet, continued perseverance and trying out what the baby likes is the key.


Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3195 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Cold And Cough In An Infant

Brief Answer: Continue Normal Saline Nasal drops Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcaremagic Greetings of the day Dear Ms Aish Being a parent myself I understand your concern and apprehension. Majority of respiratory infection are viral in origin and self limiting. The cause of persistent could be due to following 1. Persistent airway hyper reactivity: post infectious there could be persistent hyper reactivity of airways inducing bronchospam and causing cough 2. Dry air: Dry air causes spasm If the following criteria are fulfilled there is no cause for concern 1. Absence of Fever 2. Accepting feeds well 3. Sleeps comfortably after feeds 4. Respiratory rate is less then 50 per minute 5. Chest movements are normal and baby is comfortable while sucking milk I would advise the following 1. Continue steam inhalation: Hot and humid air in room is less likely to provoke spasm 2. Normal Saline Nebulization: I would agree that Asthalin Nebulization is not required. Just plain Normal Saline Nebulization is very much beneficial and free from any side effects 3. SOLVINCOLD AF drops will be very helpful 4. Apply Vicks Vaporub over the clothes and a very little over the nose 5. Continue using Normal Saline Nasal drops 6. Antibiotics: Syrup Azithromycin 10 mg per kilogram body weight per dose once a day for 3 days Do keep me updated about the progress. Wishing your XXXXXXX speedy recovery Take care Best regards Dr Deepak Kishore MBBS, MS, MCh Consultant Pediatric Surgeon