Suggest Treatment For Cough And Congestion In An Infant

Posted on Wed, 28 Sep 2016

Question: My 4 month old is having a cough, congestion from last 4 days...when he coughs he coughs cintinuosly for 4 to 5 times and his breathing speed is also fast due to infection.

paediatrician suggested Augmentin duo - co amaxiclav for 5 days , 2 times a day. 2 ml each time .its been 2 days and he still looks the same with same cogh....

should we change
Attchedmedicine pic

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue to breast feed the baby. Steam inhalation will help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Children of such an age often suffer from bronchiolitis which is caused due to a type of viral infection and antibiotics like Augmentin Duo are ineffective in such cases. Irrespective of use of antibiotics, it usually spontaneously resolves in not less than 5-7 days. Since antibiotics have been started please complete the course even though they might not be helpful. Changing will not help.

If your child has fever with temperature more than 100°F, you need to give paracetamol drops to bring it down. Also give tepid sponging. The main treatment would be steam inhalation. Just sit with the child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. Water vapour will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Please continue to breast feed the baby.

Please be patient. In a few days things should soon be fine back again. However, if the child grows lethargic, you would need to take him to a hospital without delay.

Regards

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