How Can Severe Cough In A Child Be Treated?

Posted on Mon, 18 Sep 2017

Question: hi doctor

my baby is now 8 months old. from yesterday she is having cough. not dry cough. please advise.

Regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Details below

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

Most common cause of cough in this age is some viral infection or allergy.
In viral infection fever is a common associated symptom.
As you have not mentioned fever viral infection is less likely.
Giving cough syrup containing Ambroxol (a mucolytic, sputum thinning agent) with levosalbutamol (bronchodilator, helps in relieving airway spasm) along with antiallergic/decongestant syrup like chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine will help.
I wont get overly worried if baby is otherwise active, accepting feeds well, passing urine and there is no breathing problem. In most of the cases cough improves within 4-5 days if not gets complicated
I would request you to consult a pediatrician for clinical examination and prescription of medications.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (6 hours later)

thank you doctor. also one more question my baby fell down from bed yesterday evening. she cried alot initially for 5 mins then stopped crying. there is no swelling or any bleeding as of now. please advise how to check if there is any internal damage. im vrry much worried

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I won't get worried if there is no danger sign

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for follow up

I won't get worried if there is no history of vomiting, loss of consciousness, any abnormal movement or excessive irritability.
These symptoms suggest injury to the brain.
Most of the symptoms appear within 24 hours of injury. If he is not having any symptom till now the chances of having internal injury is very less.
Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (17 hours later)

thank you doctor. one more question. my in laws have bought something from zinda tilasmat saying it's called "mooti" and should be worn on black thread around the baby's neck and it will help in reducing the pains while she's getting teeth. i don't beleive in this. is this true?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I don't have much idea, but logically it won't help

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Frankly speaking I never heard about Zila tilasmath before this.
After going through Internet I found that it contains some herbs and is given for cough, cold etc.
Logically speaking I don't think it will help in teething. In fact it can become a source of infection.
For teething you can massage the gum after proper cleaning of your hand . During teething baby tries to put every thing in mouth. You can give him teethers after proper cleaning. Applying Zytee lotion helps in relieving pain.
So it's upon you whether to use that Zila tilasmath for your baby or not.

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar