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Suggest Treatment For Cold, Cough And Fever In A Child

Posted on Fri, 25 Nov 2016

Question: Hi Dr XXXXXXX Kondekar,

My daughter is suffering from cold, cough and fever. What are the medicines that I can give her for this. (She is preterm baby, corrected age is 20 months and 3 weeks).

Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like viral illness with cough and cold

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.
Cough and cold are viral 95% of the times in children. For cold you can use anti-allergics like cetirizine and for nose block, saline nasal decongestants will do. Paracetamol can be given in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose (max ceiling dose 500mg) every 4-6th hourly, that too only if fever is more than 100F. I suggest not using combination medicines for fever, especially with Paracetamol.
For cold you can use Cetrizine at 0.25mg/kg/dose every 12 hourly for 3 days.
For nasal block, plain saline nasal drops will do, every 4-6th hourly to relive nasal congestion.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

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

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

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Amperayani,

Thanks for your solution. I will follow it.

Can you please tell me which foods can be given when baby is having cold, cough and fever.

Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no diet restriction

Detailed Answer:
Hi....there is no diet restriction at all. You can give whatever the kid asks for. When a kid is having illness, usually they don't eat well. So please give the kid whatever is asked for.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (39 hours later)

Hi Dr XXXXXXX

I have some doubts which I would like to get cleared with you.

1) Can foods like banana, curds, buttermilk, milk can be given to baby when having cold or cough?
2) Are there any other particular foods which should not be given during cold or cough to baby?
3) I am using Saline nasal drops for my baby as you suggested. But still the blocked nose doesn't seem to clear up much with just that. Additionally nasal drops such as Nasivision Nasal Drops or Otrivin Nasal Spray paediatric versions can be used doctor?
4) Along with cough she is having sore throat and phlegm also and so baby is unable to eat or swallow properly. Can you suggest any medicine for this also please?

Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on cough and cold and diet

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... Coming to your queries directly -

1. You can give the above mentioned foods during cough and cold.

2. There is absolutely no diet restriction during cough and cold.

3. Please do not use medicated nasal drops as they may cause rebound nasal congestion dnd aggravate the problem.

4. It might be wheezing.... bronchodilator therapy like Levolin may help. But this is a prescription medicine and you will need one for the same.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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