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How Can Severe Cough In A Child Be Treated?

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Posted on Tue, 23 May 2017
Question: Hi dr,
My 4 year old daughter has cough from last 5-6 days. We gave her steam and nebuliser regularly and it reduced too . Last night again she coughed continuously for almost 3-4 hours and had fever around 101. In the morning when she woke up there was no fever and she was playful. Today again in the afternoon when she lied down to sleep she developed fever around 101.7. I gave her sumol plus and she went to sleep. She is coughing during the day too. What can it be? Please suggest the treatment. Is it something serious?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to a viral infection.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections and antibiotics are ineffective in such cases. Irrespective of treatment it usually spontaneously resolves in 5-7 days. Some children are more prone to catching cold and recurrent episodes are seen. Often such viral infections manifest with fever. If your child is otherwise active and playful, I would not be concerned. You have done the right thing by giving Sumol Plus and also steam and nebulisation. The treatment is proper. You can give some antiallergic like cetirizine once daily for next few days. You would have to be patient as it may sometimes take a few more days for it to resolve. Unless your child grows lethargic I would not consider it serious.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (39 hours later)
Hi dr,
Thanks for your reply. She still has fever in between 101-102.5. It increases in the night. She is active that way. I took her to a Paed also. He gave her ventryl expectorant, Allegra, lanzol jr and dolo plus (sos). But still she has fever with coughing. Last night fever XXXXXXX to 102.7. I was terribly scared and gave her sumol plus. Now when she woke up there was no fever but again fever is coming back gradually. Please advise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The treatment is proper. You would need to be patient.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for the inadvertent delay in responding. You would need to be patient. The treatment is proper and you need to continue it. The fever may persist for a few more days and you would need to continue with the same treatment. However, if it does not resolve in a couple of days I would insist you to get a widal test as well as complete blood count done. It will help in excluding enteric fever or a bacterial cause.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3878 Questions

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How Can Severe Cough In A Child Be Treated?

Brief Answer: Likely to be due to a viral infection. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections and antibiotics are ineffective in such cases. Irrespective of treatment it usually spontaneously resolves in 5-7 days. Some children are more prone to catching cold and recurrent episodes are seen. Often such viral infections manifest with fever. If your child is otherwise active and playful, I would not be concerned. You have done the right thing by giving Sumol Plus and also steam and nebulisation. The treatment is proper. You can give some antiallergic like cetirizine once daily for next few days. You would have to be patient as it may sometimes take a few more days for it to resolve. Unless your child grows lethargic I would not consider it serious. Regards