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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Lack Of Appetite In A Child

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Posted on Wed, 17 Feb 2016
Question: Hi

I have a two year old with chesty cough for two weeks. week one was prescribed for orelox and panadol infant to reduce fever. orelox was five day dosage. end of dose, felt better. day two post dosage, cough resumes. barking cough, worst at night times. I have tried humidifier, piriton, ventolin syrup with no relief. went back to doctor and got a ventolin evohaler, no relief. returned to doctor, child has clear chest, no throat or ear infection but cough is worse at night. child unable to sleep, congested too and no appetite.

please assist

Nas.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It could be a wheeze - please answer the questions below

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. Greetings from XXXXXXX

By what you quote I feel what your kid could be having viral associated wheeze or multi triggered wheeze. Cough being worse at night is a sign of wheezing. I have a few questions for you -
Questions:
1. How many days per month does the kid cough or feel breathless?
2. How many nights per month does the kid's sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
3. Does the kid feel breathless when she runs around or plays with other kids?
4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes?
5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.?
6. Is the cough always associated with fever?
7. Has a Chest X-ray been ordered for the kid?

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (4 minutes later)
1. cough can be even every two months, no shortness of breath
2.since she was a baby we've never had a night's sleep...has had eczema itchy skin, acid reflux that improved, now this cough
3.we've not noticed yet.
4.yes the weather has changed,a lot of pollen and colds and flus in the city
5.yes, family has allergies. I'm mother I have food allergies her father is asthmatic. she's had bronchitis two months ago
6. yes fever in most cases. she's now on cataflam drops
7. no chest Ray
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It could be multi tirggered wheeze - needs to be started on inhalers

Detailed Answer:
Suggestions:

1. There are certainly alternative management therapies in allopathy now-a-days. Medicine has advanced a lot and wheezing is 100% controllable.

2. Inhalers are the newest management strategies for this. If I were your paediatrician I would have suggested the use of Budecort metered dose inhaler (100mcg) 2 puffs twice a day through a spacer and this is for regular use for 8 weeks. Another metered dose inhaler is Levolin and this can used as rescue therapy whenever the kid is having severe cough in spite of regular usage of Budecort.

3. The technique is very important and very crucial for the drug to be delivered correctly to the lungs. Regularity of medicine usage also matters a lot. So do not discontinue abruptly after you notice some improvement. The technique of administering an inhaler using a spacer has to be taught to you by your doctor and these are prescription medicines. So I suggest you consult your paediatrician for this.

4. Triggers can be environmental changes/ dust/ talcum powder/ seasonal changes/ un-cleaned a/c vents/ cold weather etc....we can specifically say this is the cause - unless we observe the kid closely - best person is the parent.

I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (6 minutes later)
thank you Dr Amperayani
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Happy that my suggestion has helped you

Detailed Answer:
Hi... I am happy that my suggestion has helped you. I will be glad if you can tell me about further follow up of the kid.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Lack Of Appetite In A Child

Brief Answer: It could be a wheeze - please answer the questions below Detailed Answer: Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. Greetings from XXXXXXX By what you quote I feel what your kid could be having viral associated wheeze or multi triggered wheeze. Cough being worse at night is a sign of wheezing. I have a few questions for you - Questions: 1. How many days per month does the kid cough or feel breathless? 2. How many nights per month does the kid's sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms? 3. Does the kid feel breathless when she runs around or plays with other kids? 4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes? 5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.? 6. Is the cough always associated with fever? 7. Has a Chest X-ray been ordered for the kid? Regards - Dr. Sumanth