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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough After Treating Flu In Asthma Patient

Posted on Tue, 17 Feb 2015

Question: Hello. I have a 7 year old daughter who is on day 6 of the flu. Strain b. She was prescribed tamiflu and is done with it but for the past two days her cough has gotten really bad. It is to the point of keeping her up most of the night. She is an asthmatic child so this worries me more. Could she be developing something else or could this still be the flu?

Answered by Dr. Arun (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
could be a secondary bacterial infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
Usually flu can last a week before setting.
You have already given tamiflu.
If cough has gotten really bad I think it could be a secondary bacterial infection.
Bacteria stick on to virus damaged respiratory passages.
I think you need to consult your doctor again.
She might need a course of antibiotics and chest xray to confirm presence of pneumonia.
Wishing your child good health
Regards
Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Arun (3 minutes later)

Is there anything i can do to help her get through the night till i can call her asthma doctor in the morning? I know what wheezing us for her and she isnt wheezing and she has told me that she isbt wheezy. She jnows what that feels like. Her doctor gave her the cough syrup with codiene in it today but its not helping. Thank you very much

Answered by Dr. Arun (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
better to visit ER

Detailed Answer:
It would be better to visit ER.
If not possible try home nebulisations or steam inhalations for time being.
Regards
Dr Arun

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar