Hi, My Daughter Is 6 Years Old. She Started Having

Posted on Tue, 20 Nov 2018

Question: Hi,
My daughter is 6 years old. she started having cough in first week of Sept. After 3 to 4 days the way how she cough got changed to slow and small but continous. Doctor took the chest X-ray, gave alergy medications, cough medication setc and Doctor said it all looks good and could be a Habbit cough.

last week Oct 23 , she started having cold and whoophing cough. Now the cough is more severe and feels like real dry cough. She is sleeping well at nights with no cough in the sleep.

Please let us know what could be the reason for the cough. Could it be TB ? though she did not have any exposure to TB, Doctor said he would prescribe the TB test.

She is active as usual and no fever or any other symptoms. Could it be because of Allergy in the house? what suggestions would you give us for futher treatment to get the Cough cured.

Thanks
Sridhar

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be tuberculosis

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.

I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections. Some children are more prone to catching cold and recurrent episodes are seen. If your child is otherwise active and playful, I would not be concerned. If not, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor and to get the child evaluated.

Such infections are frequently associated with an allergic component. That is the reason for which some antiallergic like cetirizine is given. Without fever it is quite unlikely that the child is suffering from TB.

You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion. Just make her sit with the source of steam before her. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief.

Please be patient. It may take a few days for the recovery to occur. It should spontaneously resolve in 5-7 days.

Hopefully that would help. Feel free to write back in case of further queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)

Thanks Doctor , for your comments.

My daughter is having small cough (continuous) cough since sept 1st week. After taking the Alergy medications etc.. Cough did not get cured. Chest X-ray was taken 3 weeks back and looked good. while the Cough persists since last 50 days, she started having cold and woofing dry cough started since last week.

Do you think we don't need to worry and the current dry/whofing cough should go-away soon?

How about the Cough she is having since 50 days, Doctor said that it could be habbit cough as we really do not feel as a real cough but she just might be coughing to make her throat clear.

do you suggest for any other tests ?

Thank you for your detailed response.

Thanks
Sridhar

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation is the mainstay of treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Pardon me for the inadvertent delay in responding.

I would insist you not to worry. I would not suggest any tests as of now. Please give steam inhalation.

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. Vaishalee Punj