Suggest Remedy For Chest Congestion And Cough In A Child

Posted on Mon, 28 Dec 2015

Question: hi,
I have 15 months son. One month back, he was hospitalised due to chest congestion and heavy cough, as he stopped taking intake. after discharge it has been a month, in the night he is making sound. earlier he used to sleep well. Could you please advise?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like he has got wheezing - 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.

I have a few questions for you -
Questions:
1. How many days per month does he cough or feel breathless?
2. How many nights per month does his sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?
3. Does he feel breathless when he 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?

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 days later)

Hi Doctor,

Please find the answers:
Questions:
1. How many days per month does he cough or feel breathless? -he gets cold once in 2 months. Cough is not there during this time, it is only running nose.
2. How many nights per month does his sleep get disturbed due to above symptoms?- before admission to hospital, he was all well, and sleeping very well at night, used to get up 1 or 2 (max) time.
3. Does he feel breathless when he runs around or plays with other kids? - NO
4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes? - I think yes
5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc.? - NO
6. Is the cough always associated with fever? - not always

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibilities - nasal congestoin / viral associated wheeze

Detailed Answer:
Hi...thank you for the information.

With his symptoms and the history you have provided - I feel that the noise could be either a nasal congestion or a viral associated wheeze.

Nasal congestion - There will not be cough/ fast breathing/ activity of the kid will be normal and playing around. May or may not be associated with runny nose.

Viral associated wheeze - There will be cough/ fast breathing/ activity of the kid will not be normal and playing around - the kid will feel breathless with exercise. May or may not be associated with runny nose.

I suggest you put only anti allergic like Cetrizine and saline nasal decongestant drops and check if relief is there.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad