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Small Child, Chronic Cold, Cough, No Apparent Cause. What Tests Need To Be Done?
hello, I have got 5 years old daughter suffering with cough for 4 months now, we had this problem before when she was about 2 and half years old and it lasted for more then year, every time we visit a doctor they said is nothing there we have been seen doctors every months, now I am planning to go and see doctor today and want him ask carry out some tests but not sure what kind of test I can ask for, making sure that my daughter is not in danger thank you
Sat, 27 Oct 2012
Hello there,
Your child might be allergic to dust or pollen. Also if mother has history of asthma, a child can features of cough with breathlessness.
It is incorrect to call children less than 5 years as asthmatic as per American guidelines. Such children are just known to suffer from wheezy bronchitis.
You can ask for a blood test with emphasis on Eosinophil count and AEC, ie Absolute Eosinophil Count.
Ask for PEF (Peak Expiratory Flow) measurement to know if her lungs are fine.
A chest X ray can help in ruling out any obvious lung infection.
Initially this is what you can ask for. Based on the findings further tests can be asked.
Take care.
Your child might be allergic to dust or pollen. Also if mother has history of asthma, a child can features of cough with breathlessness.
It is incorrect to call children less than 5 years as asthmatic as per American guidelines. Such children are just known to suffer from wheezy bronchitis.
You can ask for a blood test with emphasis on Eosinophil count and AEC, ie Absolute Eosinophil Count.
Ask for PEF (Peak Expiratory Flow) measurement to know if her lungs are fine.
A chest X ray can help in ruling out any obvious lung infection.
Initially this is what you can ask for. Based on the findings further tests can be asked.
Take care.
I find this answer helpful
User's Response
Dr. Dhivya Ananth,
Pediatrician's Response
Pediatrician's Response
Hi and thanks for the query.
Since your child has recurrent cough, you have to consider the possibility of allergy, which may be seasonal or due to dust, mite, etc. Secondly, there is the possibility of wheezing due to allergy or asthma or some sort of bronchitis. You may also need to check for adenoid hypertrophy , especially if she has snoring or mouth breathing.
Hence you can ask for tests related to these. Meanwhile, it is advisable to do steam inhalation daily at bedtime using a vaporizer, this will keep her sinuses and nose free of phlegm and prevent nighttime cough if due to post nasal drip.
Hope you are reassured. Take care.
Bye
Since your child has recurrent cough, you have to consider the possibility of allergy, which may be seasonal or due to dust, mite, etc. Secondly, there is the possibility of wheezing due to allergy or asthma or some sort of bronchitis. You may also need to check for adenoid hypertrophy , especially if she has snoring or mouth breathing.
Hence you can ask for tests related to these. Meanwhile, it is advisable to do steam inhalation daily at bedtime using a vaporizer, this will keep her sinuses and nose free of phlegm and prevent nighttime cough if due to post nasal drip.
Hope you are reassured. Take care.
Bye
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
1You have to do blod count to look for eosinophilia which will show allergy.
2 test for tuberculosis
Other tests will depend on clinical examination.
God bless
Dr Uma
1You have to do blod count to look for eosinophilia which will show allergy.
2 test for tuberculosis
Other tests will depend on clinical examination.
God bless
Dr Uma
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
1You have to do blod count to look for eosinophilia which will show allergy.
2 test for tuberculosis
Other tests will depend on clinical examination.
God bless
Dr Uma
1You have to do blod count to look for eosinophilia which will show allergy.
2 test for tuberculosis
Other tests will depend on clinical examination.
God bless
Dr Uma
I find this answer helpful
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