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My Baby Is 6 Months Old Weighing 8 Kgs. He
Question: My baby is 6 months old weighing 8 kgs. He has been suffering from coughs and sneezing since the last 5 months. He was having phlegm issues in between as well.Whenever we give him medicines,the cough subsides. When we stop the medicines,the cough starts after a few days.We gave him Mucolite,Coriminic,Zerotuss and even Amoxycillin. Mucolite was given for Phlegm. The doctor said on every visit that baby's chest is clear,the phlegm seems to affect his throat,hence the coughing. He is coughing again,the doctor advised us to give him Levolin ( 1 ml thrice for 5 days),he became okay on the third day but he had issues with the stomach mainly passing green stools and that too three or four times daily. We stopped the medicine as he no longer had coughing and also due to his upset stomach.After stopping Levolin,his stomach got fine but he started coughing again. The doctor has advised Azithral Jr 7.5 ml to be given, 2ml once a day for three days. Is it okay to give this antibiotic as he was given an antibiotic (Amoxycillin) 1-2 months back and we are going to start on another antibiotic. Please advise.
My baby is 6 months old weighing 8 kgs. He has been suffering from coughs and sneezing since the last 5 months. He was having phlegm issues in between as well.Whenever we give him medicines,the cough subsides. When we stop the medicines,the cough starts after a few days.We gave him Mucolite,Coriminic,Zerotuss and even Amoxycillin. Mucolite was given for Phlegm. The doctor said on every visit that baby's chest is clear,the phlegm seems to affect his throat,hence the coughing. He is coughing again,the doctor advised us to give him Levolin ( 1 ml thrice for 5 days),he became okay on the third day but he had issues with the stomach mainly passing green stools and that too three or four times daily. We stopped the medicine as he no longer had coughing and also due to his upset stomach.After stopping Levolin,his stomach got fine but he started coughing again. The doctor has advised Azithral Jr 7.5 ml to be given, 2ml once a day for three days. Is it okay to give this antibiotic as he was given an antibiotic (Amoxycillin) 1-2 months back and we are going to start on another antibiotic. Please advise.
Im his mother. I have allergies mainly dust allergy..so i also have sneezing. I also have wheezing. Im taking Foracort inahler daily. Does mother having allergies is indeed causing baby' allergies? Due to covid baby and me are always in the house,and mostly confined to our bedroom. Is this the reason?
Im his mother. I have allergies mainly dust allergy..so i also have sneezing. I also have wheezing. Im taking Foracort inahler daily. Does mother having allergies is indeed causing baby' allergies? Due to covid baby and me are always in the house,and mostly confined to our bedroom. Is this the reason?
Brief Answer:
Might be allergic; Kindly give few more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor service
This is Dr Aslam, Pediatrician here to assist you
I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern. No need to worry. Let's evaluate the reason for cough first. For this, I would like to get few more details, as listed below:
1. How frequently he gets this cough- like once in a month or 2 months? How many days he seems fine between 2 episodes?
2. When an episode starts, is there any other symptoms like nasal discharge or fever associated?
3. How the cough sounds- like lot of phlegm inside, or dry?
4. When is the cough more- during day time, night, early morning hours or constant through out?
5. Any history of nebulisation or using inhalers so far? If yes, was the cough responding to the same?
6. Does he becomes dull or refuse to feed during the episodes, or he is otherwise active and playful?
7. Does he have any skin conditions like eczema or itchy rash?
8. What is his diet? Any cow milk or formula milk being given?
9. Is there any other issues like fast breathing/breathing difficulty, audible wheezing or excessive head sweating while breast feeding?
10.Any X ray or blood tests done so far?
11. Anyone else in family(apart from you) having prolonged cough or infections like Tuberculosis?
Sorry for asking such a long list, but we need to sort this out. Cough persisting for 5 months needs evaluation. This might suggest recurring infections or allergic cough. As you are having allergic cough/asthma, baby also can have the same from inheritance, but this is not the usual age for the same.
Kindly get back with details, so that I can guide you better
Regards, Dr Aslam
Might be allergic; Kindly give few more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor service
This is Dr Aslam, Pediatrician here to assist you
I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern. No need to worry. Let's evaluate the reason for cough first. For this, I would like to get few more details, as listed below:
1. How frequently he gets this cough- like once in a month or 2 months? How many days he seems fine between 2 episodes?
2. When an episode starts, is there any other symptoms like nasal discharge or fever associated?
3. How the cough sounds- like lot of phlegm inside, or dry?
4. When is the cough more- during day time, night, early morning hours or constant through out?
5. Any history of nebulisation or using inhalers so far? If yes, was the cough responding to the same?
6. Does he becomes dull or refuse to feed during the episodes, or he is otherwise active and playful?
7. Does he have any skin conditions like eczema or itchy rash?
8. What is his diet? Any cow milk or formula milk being given?
9. Is there any other issues like fast breathing/breathing difficulty, audible wheezing or excessive head sweating while breast feeding?
10.Any X ray or blood tests done so far?
11. Anyone else in family(apart from you) having prolonged cough or infections like Tuberculosis?
Sorry for asking such a long list, but we need to sort this out. Cough persisting for 5 months needs evaluation. This might suggest recurring infections or allergic cough. As you are having allergic cough/asthma, baby also can have the same from inheritance, but this is not the usual age for the same.
Kindly get back with details, so that I can guide you better
Regards, Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
Might be allergic; Kindly give few more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor service
This is Dr Aslam, Pediatrician here to assist you
I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern. No need to worry. Let's evaluate the reason for cough first. For this, I would like to get few more details, as listed below:
1. How frequently he gets this cough- like once in a month or 2 months? How many days he seems fine between 2 episodes?
2. When an episode starts, is there any other symptoms like nasal discharge or fever associated?
3. How the cough sounds- like lot of phlegm inside, or dry?
4. When is the cough more- during day time, night, early morning hours or constant through out?
5. Any history of nebulisation or using inhalers so far? If yes, was the cough responding to the same?
6. Does he becomes dull or refuse to feed during the episodes, or he is otherwise active and playful?
7. Does he have any skin conditions like eczema or itchy rash?
8. What is his diet? Any cow milk or formula milk being given?
9. Is there any other issues like fast breathing/breathing difficulty, audible wheezing or excessive head sweating while breast feeding?
10.Any X ray or blood tests done so far?
11. Anyone else in family(apart from you) having prolonged cough or infections like Tuberculosis?
Sorry for asking such a long list, but we need to sort this out. Cough persisting for 5 months needs evaluation. This might suggest recurring infections or allergic cough. As you are having allergic cough/asthma, baby also can have the same from inheritance, but this is not the usual age for the same.
Kindly get back with details, so that I can guide you better
Regards, Dr Aslam
Might be allergic; Kindly give few more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor service
This is Dr Aslam, Pediatrician here to assist you
I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern. No need to worry. Let's evaluate the reason for cough first. For this, I would like to get few more details, as listed below:
1. How frequently he gets this cough- like once in a month or 2 months? How many days he seems fine between 2 episodes?
2. When an episode starts, is there any other symptoms like nasal discharge or fever associated?
3. How the cough sounds- like lot of phlegm inside, or dry?
4. When is the cough more- during day time, night, early morning hours or constant through out?
5. Any history of nebulisation or using inhalers so far? If yes, was the cough responding to the same?
6. Does he becomes dull or refuse to feed during the episodes, or he is otherwise active and playful?
7. Does he have any skin conditions like eczema or itchy rash?
8. What is his diet? Any cow milk or formula milk being given?
9. Is there any other issues like fast breathing/breathing difficulty, audible wheezing or excessive head sweating while breast feeding?
10.Any X ray or blood tests done so far?
11. Anyone else in family(apart from you) having prolonged cough or infections like Tuberculosis?
Sorry for asking such a long list, but we need to sort this out. Cough persisting for 5 months needs evaluation. This might suggest recurring infections or allergic cough. As you are having allergic cough/asthma, baby also can have the same from inheritance, but this is not the usual age for the same.
Kindly get back with details, so that I can guide you better
Regards, Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Shall we start on Azithral from this afternoon for three days,Sir?
1)He has this cough almost daily. Number of coughs varies each day..some days he has more than 10 coughs,other days fewer than 10.The gap between two episodes is two-three days.
2)He didnt have any nasal discharge or fever. When he sleeps i can hear a sound i believe to be due to blocked nose.
3) Dry cough
4)Cough more during night and early morning. He coughs during breast feeding also but not for each and every breastfeeding session.
5)Not used inhalers or taken any nebulisation for him.
6)He doesnt refuse to feed or become dull.
7)No itchy rash or other skin issues.
8)Breastfeeding. He was given formula milk the first week after he was born. From the second week onwards he was breastfed. Have not given formula after that and cow milk has never been given. Gave him banana puree once,apple puree thrice, semolina twice so far. Purees were given only once a day (One puree a day) He consumed the purees without any difficulty.
9)No wheezing. Sweating only when the ceiling fan speed is low,otherwise no head sweating.
10)No x ray or blood test done.
11)Noone from family has prolonged cough or tuberculosis.
His health issues started with the phlegm which began to accumulate in his throat when we first turned on the air conditioner.He was born in March 2020,due to the heat we turned on the AC.
He also coughs when he makes loud sounds mainly high pitched noises and when he turns his head/neck around to see things behind him. His coughing increases if the ceiling fan speed is a little high.It has been raining for the past three months,the rains have also elevated his cough.
Thank You Sir.
1)He has this cough almost daily. Number of coughs varies each day..some days he has more than 10 coughs,other days fewer than 10.The gap between two episodes is two-three days.
2)He didnt have any nasal discharge or fever. When he sleeps i can hear a sound i believe to be due to blocked nose.
3) Dry cough
4)Cough more during night and early morning. He coughs during breast feeding also but not for each and every breastfeeding session.
5)Not used inhalers or taken any nebulisation for him.
6)He doesnt refuse to feed or become dull.
7)No itchy rash or other skin issues.
8)Breastfeeding. He was given formula milk the first week after he was born. From the second week onwards he was breastfed. Have not given formula after that and cow milk has never been given. Gave him banana puree once,apple puree thrice, semolina twice so far. Purees were given only once a day (One puree a day) He consumed the purees without any difficulty.
9)No wheezing. Sweating only when the ceiling fan speed is low,otherwise no head sweating.
10)No x ray or blood test done.
11)Noone from family has prolonged cough or tuberculosis.
His health issues started with the phlegm which began to accumulate in his throat when we first turned on the air conditioner.He was born in March 2020,due to the heat we turned on the AC.
He also coughs when he makes loud sounds mainly high pitched noises and when he turns his head/neck around to see things behind him. His coughing increases if the ceiling fan speed is a little high.It has been raining for the past three months,the rains have also elevated his cough.
Thank You Sir.
Shall we start on Azithral from this afternoon for three days,Sir?
1)He has this cough almost daily. Number of coughs varies each day..some days he has more than 10 coughs,other days fewer than 10.The gap between two episodes is two-three days.
2)He didnt have any nasal discharge or fever. When he sleeps i can hear a sound i believe to be due to blocked nose.
3) Dry cough
4)Cough more during night and early morning. He coughs during breast feeding also but not for each and every breastfeeding session.
5)Not used inhalers or taken any nebulisation for him.
6)He doesnt refuse to feed or become dull.
7)No itchy rash or other skin issues.
8)Breastfeeding. He was given formula milk the first week after he was born. From the second week onwards he was breastfed. Have not given formula after that and cow milk has never been given. Gave him banana puree once,apple puree thrice, semolina twice so far. Purees were given only once a day (One puree a day) He consumed the purees without any difficulty.
9)No wheezing. Sweating only when the ceiling fan speed is low,otherwise no head sweating.
10)No x ray or blood test done.
11)Noone from family has prolonged cough or tuberculosis.
His health issues started with the phlegm which began to accumulate in his throat when we first turned on the air conditioner.He was born in March 2020,due to the heat we turned on the AC.
He also coughs when he makes loud sounds mainly high pitched noises and when he turns his head/neck around to see things behind him. His coughing increases if the ceiling fan speed is a little high.It has been raining for the past three months,the rains have also elevated his cough.
Thank You Sir.
1)He has this cough almost daily. Number of coughs varies each day..some days he has more than 10 coughs,other days fewer than 10.The gap between two episodes is two-three days.
2)He didnt have any nasal discharge or fever. When he sleeps i can hear a sound i believe to be due to blocked nose.
3) Dry cough
4)Cough more during night and early morning. He coughs during breast feeding also but not for each and every breastfeeding session.
5)Not used inhalers or taken any nebulisation for him.
6)He doesnt refuse to feed or become dull.
7)No itchy rash or other skin issues.
8)Breastfeeding. He was given formula milk the first week after he was born. From the second week onwards he was breastfed. Have not given formula after that and cow milk has never been given. Gave him banana puree once,apple puree thrice, semolina twice so far. Purees were given only once a day (One puree a day) He consumed the purees without any difficulty.
9)No wheezing. Sweating only when the ceiling fan speed is low,otherwise no head sweating.
10)No x ray or blood test done.
11)Noone from family has prolonged cough or tuberculosis.
His health issues started with the phlegm which began to accumulate in his throat when we first turned on the air conditioner.He was born in March 2020,due to the heat we turned on the AC.
He also coughs when he makes loud sounds mainly high pitched noises and when he turns his head/neck around to see things behind him. His coughing increases if the ceiling fan speed is a little high.It has been raining for the past three months,the rains have also elevated his cough.
Thank You Sir.
Brief Answer:
Probably allergic cough, can withhold antibiotic now
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for the details given.
So the summary is: 6months old infant with history of asthma/allergic cough in mother - having recurrent sneezing and noisy breathing, persistent cough for 3-4 months, exacerbated by cold/rainy season, dry to hear, more at night and early morning hours, with no fever, who is otherwise active, playful, feeding well, and growing well.
This history most probably indicates allergic cough(hyperactive airway disease). The associated sneezing and noisy breathing might suggest allergic rhinitis(nose allergy).
Regarding antibiotic/azithromycin: As there is no fever, cough is more at night, dry to hear and he is otherwise fine, in my opinion, we can withhold a second course of antibiotic until a definite diagnosis is established. Even if given, such a cough is very unlikely to respond to antibiotic.
Now how to proceed: This needs a careful evaluation that includes a detailed chest examination, preferably when symptomatic, in a calm and quiet setting to look for any wheezing, followed by few basic tests like blood routine, ESR, and a chest x ray. Also, even if there is no contact with tuberculosis, as per our government guidelines, any cough beyond 2 weeks needs TB workup- for this we have do a mantoux test also.
This you can either discuss with your pediatrician or you can consult a pediatric asthma/allergy expert.
Expected treatment: If confirmed, this will respond rapidly to regular inhaled steroids delivered through a spacer, along with bronchodilator inhalers like Salbutamol as needed. After continuing for 3-6 months we can re assess and decide accordingly. Inhaled drugs are the drugs of choice for this, and have much lesser side effects than oral drugs.
In such cases, after preliminary workup, I used to give a therapeutic trial of inhaled steroids for 2 weeks to see the response. If responding, we can continue; otherwise further workup can be done.
What else can be done: Main triggers/exacerbating factors of allergic cough are cold, dust and smoke. So keep the bed room dust free. Avoid woollen clothes/blankets. Clean window curtains and bed sheets regularly, wet mopping floor daily and fan leaf weekly. Avoid pets. Avoid talcum powder and strong perfumes. Avoid passive smoking.
Hope I have answered your query
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Regards, Dr Aslam
Probably allergic cough, can withhold antibiotic now
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for the details given.
So the summary is: 6months old infant with history of asthma/allergic cough in mother - having recurrent sneezing and noisy breathing, persistent cough for 3-4 months, exacerbated by cold/rainy season, dry to hear, more at night and early morning hours, with no fever, who is otherwise active, playful, feeding well, and growing well.
This history most probably indicates allergic cough(hyperactive airway disease). The associated sneezing and noisy breathing might suggest allergic rhinitis(nose allergy).
Regarding antibiotic/azithromycin: As there is no fever, cough is more at night, dry to hear and he is otherwise fine, in my opinion, we can withhold a second course of antibiotic until a definite diagnosis is established. Even if given, such a cough is very unlikely to respond to antibiotic.
Now how to proceed: This needs a careful evaluation that includes a detailed chest examination, preferably when symptomatic, in a calm and quiet setting to look for any wheezing, followed by few basic tests like blood routine, ESR, and a chest x ray. Also, even if there is no contact with tuberculosis, as per our government guidelines, any cough beyond 2 weeks needs TB workup- for this we have do a mantoux test also.
This you can either discuss with your pediatrician or you can consult a pediatric asthma/allergy expert.
Expected treatment: If confirmed, this will respond rapidly to regular inhaled steroids delivered through a spacer, along with bronchodilator inhalers like Salbutamol as needed. After continuing for 3-6 months we can re assess and decide accordingly. Inhaled drugs are the drugs of choice for this, and have much lesser side effects than oral drugs.
In such cases, after preliminary workup, I used to give a therapeutic trial of inhaled steroids for 2 weeks to see the response. If responding, we can continue; otherwise further workup can be done.
What else can be done: Main triggers/exacerbating factors of allergic cough are cold, dust and smoke. So keep the bed room dust free. Avoid woollen clothes/blankets. Clean window curtains and bed sheets regularly, wet mopping floor daily and fan leaf weekly. Avoid pets. Avoid talcum powder and strong perfumes. Avoid passive smoking.
Hope I have answered your query
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Regards, Dr Aslam
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
Probably allergic cough, can withhold antibiotic now
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for the details given.
So the summary is: 6months old infant with history of asthma/allergic cough in mother - having recurrent sneezing and noisy breathing, persistent cough for 3-4 months, exacerbated by cold/rainy season, dry to hear, more at night and early morning hours, with no fever, who is otherwise active, playful, feeding well, and growing well.
This history most probably indicates allergic cough(hyperactive airway disease). The associated sneezing and noisy breathing might suggest allergic rhinitis(nose allergy).
Regarding antibiotic/azithromycin: As there is no fever, cough is more at night, dry to hear and he is otherwise fine, in my opinion, we can withhold a second course of antibiotic until a definite diagnosis is established. Even if given, such a cough is very unlikely to respond to antibiotic.
Now how to proceed: This needs a careful evaluation that includes a detailed chest examination, preferably when symptomatic, in a calm and quiet setting to look for any wheezing, followed by few basic tests like blood routine, ESR, and a chest x ray. Also, even if there is no contact with tuberculosis, as per our government guidelines, any cough beyond 2 weeks needs TB workup- for this we have do a mantoux test also.
This you can either discuss with your pediatrician or you can consult a pediatric asthma/allergy expert.
Expected treatment: If confirmed, this will respond rapidly to regular inhaled steroids delivered through a spacer, along with bronchodilator inhalers like Salbutamol as needed. After continuing for 3-6 months we can re assess and decide accordingly. Inhaled drugs are the drugs of choice for this, and have much lesser side effects than oral drugs.
In such cases, after preliminary workup, I used to give a therapeutic trial of inhaled steroids for 2 weeks to see the response. If responding, we can continue; otherwise further workup can be done.
What else can be done: Main triggers/exacerbating factors of allergic cough are cold, dust and smoke. So keep the bed room dust free. Avoid woollen clothes/blankets. Clean window curtains and bed sheets regularly, wet mopping floor daily and fan leaf weekly. Avoid pets. Avoid talcum powder and strong perfumes. Avoid passive smoking.
Hope I have answered your query
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Regards, Dr Aslam
Probably allergic cough, can withhold antibiotic now
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for the details given.
So the summary is: 6months old infant with history of asthma/allergic cough in mother - having recurrent sneezing and noisy breathing, persistent cough for 3-4 months, exacerbated by cold/rainy season, dry to hear, more at night and early morning hours, with no fever, who is otherwise active, playful, feeding well, and growing well.
This history most probably indicates allergic cough(hyperactive airway disease). The associated sneezing and noisy breathing might suggest allergic rhinitis(nose allergy).
Regarding antibiotic/azithromycin: As there is no fever, cough is more at night, dry to hear and he is otherwise fine, in my opinion, we can withhold a second course of antibiotic until a definite diagnosis is established. Even if given, such a cough is very unlikely to respond to antibiotic.
Now how to proceed: This needs a careful evaluation that includes a detailed chest examination, preferably when symptomatic, in a calm and quiet setting to look for any wheezing, followed by few basic tests like blood routine, ESR, and a chest x ray. Also, even if there is no contact with tuberculosis, as per our government guidelines, any cough beyond 2 weeks needs TB workup- for this we have do a mantoux test also.
This you can either discuss with your pediatrician or you can consult a pediatric asthma/allergy expert.
Expected treatment: If confirmed, this will respond rapidly to regular inhaled steroids delivered through a spacer, along with bronchodilator inhalers like Salbutamol as needed. After continuing for 3-6 months we can re assess and decide accordingly. Inhaled drugs are the drugs of choice for this, and have much lesser side effects than oral drugs.
In such cases, after preliminary workup, I used to give a therapeutic trial of inhaled steroids for 2 weeks to see the response. If responding, we can continue; otherwise further workup can be done.
What else can be done: Main triggers/exacerbating factors of allergic cough are cold, dust and smoke. So keep the bed room dust free. Avoid woollen clothes/blankets. Clean window curtains and bed sheets regularly, wet mopping floor daily and fan leaf weekly. Avoid pets. Avoid talcum powder and strong perfumes. Avoid passive smoking.
Hope I have answered your query
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Regards, Dr Aslam
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. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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