Hello Doctor, My Son Who Is 5 Years Old Has

Posted on Thu, 5 Mar 2020

Question: hello doctor, my son who is 5 years old has very bad cough since 5 days followed by fever and running nose. The cough seems to be dry. so I have started with aizythromycin 200mg syrup with cosome syrup and for fever calpol 250mg. Fever is come down but his cough has not at all got better. He has a very disturbed sleep due to cough also discharge from his nose is kind of watery. Im really confused if the cough and running nose is due to a allergy or due to a infection. please suggest something as I'm really worried for him.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on upper respiratory illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello...I understand your concern.

Cough and cold are viral 95% of the times in children.
For cold you can use anti-allergics like Levocetirizine and for nose block, saline nasal decongestants will do.
For cold you can use Levocetrizine at 1.25mg/dose as a single daily dose for 3 days. But usually it is indicated in above 6 months age. But unfortunately this is non-OTC.
OR
The other alternative is Syrup Benadryl (12.5mg/5ml) strength. You can give 2.5ml three times a day for a period of 3 days. Although this is a first generation antihistamine medication, this is an excellent cough suppressant please. This is OTC.
For nasal block, plain saline nasal drops will do, every 4-6th hourly to relive nasal congestion.
If he struggling whilst lying in prone or supine posture - you may let him sleep in semi-recumbent position like in a car seat please.

Best regards - Dr Sumanth Amperayani

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. Raju A.T