Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Cough With No Fever. What Is The Rattling In Heart?
My 3 year old has had a cough for a week. No fever . We took him to the doctor a week ago because the cough would make him choke. No phlegm being coughed up. Now, a week later, his cough is worse. It is definitely loosening up, but causes him awful choking episodes. He still has no fever, but he isn t getting much sleep. I can hear a rattling sound in his chest now.
Fri, 14 Sep 2012
Hi
He may have bronchitis which can be caused by a virus or bacteria, in the absence of a fever it is more likely a viral bronchitis. Bronchitis simply means inflammation or infection of the bronchi. It usuallly presents with a wet cough which may be persistant and worse at night.
Your son may benefit from the use of a mucolytic to break up the mucus, a bronchodilatory medication (some of the coughing in bronchitis is because the airways are closing, if they are reopened then the coughing may decrease- mucolytics and bronchodilators are often combined into one cough syrup. Some children , if the above do not work and the airways are significantly inflammed, may need a short 3 day course of oral steroids to reduce the inflammation.
If he has a runny nose or nasal congestion, the mucus may be running back into his throat and contributing to his coughing when he lays down, you can use a decongestant (either oral or topical) to treat any nasal symptoms.
I hope this helps
He may have bronchitis which can be caused by a virus or bacteria, in the absence of a fever it is more likely a viral bronchitis. Bronchitis simply means inflammation or infection of the bronchi. It usuallly presents with a wet cough which may be persistant and worse at night.
Your son may benefit from the use of a mucolytic to break up the mucus, a bronchodilatory medication (some of the coughing in bronchitis is because the airways are closing, if they are reopened then the coughing may decrease- mucolytics and bronchodilators are often combined into one cough syrup. Some children , if the above do not work and the airways are significantly inflammed, may need a short 3 day course of oral steroids to reduce the inflammation.
If he has a runny nose or nasal congestion, the mucus may be running back into his throat and contributing to his coughing when he lays down, you can use a decongestant (either oral or topical) to treat any nasal symptoms.
I hope this helps
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Stuffy/runny nose
Loading Online Doctors....