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Suggest Treatment For Throat Viral Infection And Excessive Phlegm
Question: My 1 year old son is down with a throat viral infection. No anitbiotics have been prescribed as yet. He has a lot of phlegm which is not coming out with cough. Can you please advice if there is any medication or home remedy that we can use ?
Brief Answer:
Drinking warm liquids and taking in warm humid air helps.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Throat infections are broadly caused due to either certain bacteria (like Streptococci) or certain viruses (like Epstein Barr Virus). In either case, irrespective of treatment with antibiotics the episode lasts for around 5-7 days. Antibiotics are ineffective in viral infections anyway. So, there is no use giving antibiotics. The mainstay of treatment is gurgling with lukewarm water. However, I doubt if a child of 1 year age will be able to do it. In that case, taking lukewarm water in small amounts and then swallowing it should provide relief. You may try a variety of fluids such as warm water or tea with lemon and honey, Popsicles, or chicken soup. Stream inhalation and humidifiers are also beneficial. Water in the form of vapour reaches deep inside and help in diluting the phlegm/mucus. I would not suggest the use of any particular medication.
The following link will help you gain a deeper insight in this regard:
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/sore-throat-in-children-beyond-the-basics
Hope that helps.
Regards
Drinking warm liquids and taking in warm humid air helps.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Throat infections are broadly caused due to either certain bacteria (like Streptococci) or certain viruses (like Epstein Barr Virus). In either case, irrespective of treatment with antibiotics the episode lasts for around 5-7 days. Antibiotics are ineffective in viral infections anyway. So, there is no use giving antibiotics. The mainstay of treatment is gurgling with lukewarm water. However, I doubt if a child of 1 year age will be able to do it. In that case, taking lukewarm water in small amounts and then swallowing it should provide relief. You may try a variety of fluids such as warm water or tea with lemon and honey, Popsicles, or chicken soup. Stream inhalation and humidifiers are also beneficial. Water in the form of vapour reaches deep inside and help in diluting the phlegm/mucus. I would not suggest the use of any particular medication.
The following link will help you gain a deeper insight in this regard:
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/sore-throat-in-children-beyond-the-basics
Hope that helps.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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