Patient's question:
My baby is one week old and has been coughing at night, but there are no symptoms during the day, no fever, or runny nose. Previous treatment and effectiveness: At the outpatient clinic, they prescribed medication, which has been taken for many days but has not shown any improvement. It includes anti-inflammatory and lung-cleaning drugs. The doctor said it's related to the trachea and there is inflammation. What kind of assistance is expected: Hope to find a valuable solution. Thank you.Doctor's answer:
Hello. The child may have developed allergic cough, which is often more severe at night or early in the morning, presenting in episodes without wheezing or fever. Chest X-ray and blood tests show no significant abnormalities. Various antibiotics and cough suppressants have been used without notable effect.Allergic cough primarily manifests as:
- Generally no high fever;
- Coughing up white foamy sputum;
- Disliking rubbing eyes and nose, and scratching the scalp;
- Excessive sweating during sleep, restlessness, and aversion to curling up while sleeping;
- Primarily coughing without wheezing.
The cough has three main characteristics:
- Coughing in episodes before taking a nap in the afternoon;
- Coughing in episodes upon waking up in the middle of the night;
- Coughing in episodes upon waking up in the morning.
Some children may cough for as long as 3 months.