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Suggest Treatment For Blocked Nose And Upper Respiratory Infection

Posted on Fri, 9 Jan 2015

Question: My daughter is 2 months old. She is having stuffy/blocked nose problems since fourth day. Consulted doctors, tried different saline drops, aspirators, etc. but she is still having issues with blocked nose. So what can we do to clear her nose? Also she is not feeding properly since last three days,looks lethargic and puts pressure while passing urine. Our doctor said, while weight has increased a bit, its lower but still asked us to come back after fifteen days so is it OK to wait?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upper respiratory infection are self limiting

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day

Dear Ms

Majority of the respiratory infection are self limiting and there is no cause for concern. As its viral in origin it does last for 1-2 weeks. If the following criteria are fulfilled then there is no cause for concern

1. Absence of fever or mild fever (< 99.5 degree fahrenheit)
2. Respiratory rate less than 60 per minute
3. Urine is clear and not foul smelling
4. Baby is comfortable while latched to breast
5. Urine output adequate

I would suggest the following

1. Normal saline nasal drops : 2-3 drops in each nostril 4-6 times a day
2. I would not recommend nasal aspirators as it will damage the delicate mucosa of infant
3. Steam inhalation: Electronic steamer is preferable. Avoid direct contact with baby. Switch it on for few minutes where the baby is sleeping
4. Continue Exclusive breastfeeding

Regarding weight: Baby usually looses 10% of body weight during first 10 days of life. After which baby gains 25-30 grammes per day. Ideally the birth weight doubles by 5 months of age.
I would agree with your Pediatrician to wait for 15 days.

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Pediatric Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (26 hours later)

Hello Sir

Thanks for your reply.

Wanted to give you more details and ask if she has not been feeding properly can be due to the following reason:

She is having extreme gas problem and for the past few days I can notice that she puts pressure for a while and then she urinates. She wakes up from her sleep to pass urine after applying pressure. She doesn't like to be bottle fed and she can't latch on her mothers breast for more than few minutes as she gets choked up due to blocked nose. Her weight gain is not proper now as she hardly takes 60-80 ml of milk in a day. Tried everything best I can. If you can advise me something that we can give her so that she can be healthy.

Thanks a lot

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Feeding using spoon will be helpful

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms

I do understand your concern and apprehension. Babies usually find it difficult to feed when their nose is blocked, they have aversion for both bottle feeding and breastfeeding. Decreased intake of feeds could lead to concentrated urine causing baby to put pressure while passing urine.

I would usggest you the following

1. Express the breast milk in container, store the excess quantity in refrigerator.

2. Feed the baby either using paladay( special spoon for feeding infants) or normal spoon

3. Instil normal saline nasal drops in each nostril before feeding the baby.

4. Apply vicks vaporub over the clothes of baby over chest(avoid applying directly to delicate baby skin). It will help relieve congestion.

5. Hot Seitz bath: To a small tub of lukewarm water add 1 spoon of baby bath shampoo. Make baby sit in it for 5 minutes just before giving hot water bath to baby. Also look if there is any redness in groin or genital region(diaper rash)

6. Keep the groin clean and dry

7. Ensure feed intake of 10ml per kilogramme body weight per feed.

Do write to me directly for any further assistance anytime

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (25 hours later)

Hi Sir

Thank you so much for your detailed replies, we would have never asked so many questions to our doctor in hospital that we have to you and you have given satisfactory answers to all of them. We will be in touch with you always for our baby's health issues and follow your advice.

She is our first baby and hence we are very much worried for her. To further add to what you said, the baby feeding less and hence putting pressure while passing urine, her urinated clothes are having a foul/adult like smell so is it a cause for concern? She passes urine frequently while she is not feeding properly so it might be due to having some kind of urinary infection? Should we see our baby's doctor for this?

All else things we brought up to your notice can wait as you gave satisfactory answers for those and solutions too but now this foul smell of urine is making us worried.

Greatly appreciate all your response and thank you for patiently answering all our questions.

Thanks a ton

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
To rule out urinary tract infection

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ms

Being a parent myself I understand your concern. I am very happy to be of any help.
Foul smelling urine ,possibility of Urinary tract infection needs to be considered.
I would suggest you the following

1. Look for any redness in the genitalia

2. Urine routine and microscopic examination

3. Urine Culture and antibiotic sensitivity

This can be done in consultation with your Pediatrician.

Do keep me updated

Wishing you a very happy and healthy life.

God bless you and your family .

Best regards
Deepak

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. Vinay Bhardwaj