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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Fever And Cough In A Child

Posted on Sat, 17 Jun 2017

Question: Hi my six year old daughter (seven in July) has a dry, barking cough since yesterday afternoon. She has episodes of coughing so hard that she vomits a little. Now she has a 101.4 fever with a headache. She is prone to croup, but it doesn't sound exactly the same this time. She has always coughed after running around and getting excited, but she hadn't been exercising that strenuously when I first noticed it.Also, she was sick about a week ago with a slight fever and runny nose, and her daddy seemed to catch something slightly different just as she was getting over hers. She takes Loratidine syrup for allergies, but I gave her a dose last night for the first time in about a week. I have been forgetting, but she didn't seem to have any symptoms so I thought she might not need it.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation is the mainstay of treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concern. Most often such symptoms including croup are due to viral infections. Irrespective of treatment it usually spontaneously resolves in 5-7 days. Such infections are usually associated with an allergic component and giving Montair LC Kid (monteleukast + cetirizine, prescription medicine) should help. Loratidine is also a very good alternative that can be continued instead.

If your child is otherwise active and playful, I would not be concerned. If not, it would be a good idea to visit a doctor and to get the child evaluated. If the respiratory rate is greater than or equal to 50 breaths/min you would need to take her to a doctor for the possibility of underlying pneumonia. If the rate is lesser, you need not worry.

You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion and thereby the cough. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief. Nebulization with normal saline would serve the same purpose. Give Levolin only if there is wheezing or respiratory distress.

Give paracetamol or acetaminophen to bring down the temperature as well as for headache. Also give tepid sponging. Personal hygiene is important.

Please be patient. It may take a few more days before recovery occurs.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)

Thank you doctor. I appreciate your She has been playing normally after the acetaminophen so no worries. Thanks again!
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. It is great to know that she is active and playful. In that case it is probably nothing other than a viral infection. Just continue with acetaminophen when needed, and also the steam inhalation and things should soon be fine.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana