Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: My child is now 7 months old. Two weeks ago, she developed symptoms of a cold, such as coughing and a runny nose. I gave her Xiao'er Ke Chuan Ling and Anqi. For a couple of days, she seemed to improve, but then the cough returned and became worse, sometimes accompanied by vomiting milk. When taken to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed her with asthma-induced bronchitis, administered intravenous saline for two days, and prescribed anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, and expectorant medications. Since returning home, I have been giving her the medication on schedule, but her cough has not improved, and I can still hear a gurgling sound in her throat as if there is mucus being suctioned out. I am very worried and don’t know what to do. Please advise the doctor. Thank you!Duration and persistence of the current illness: 2 weeks
Doctor's answer:
Most cases of babies coughing and runny nose are due to wind-cold colds. Wind-cold colds are more common in winter and spring. The symptoms include nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge, excessive phlegm that is thin and white, foamy in texture, a rattling sound in the throat, and a thin white tongue coating. The treatment for wind-cold colds focuses on dispelling wind-cold and relieving cough.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Qingxuan Zhike Granules, Xiaoqinglong Granules, Chaihu Yin Granules, etc.
Western Medicine: Children's Paracetamol and Sulfamethoxazole, Chen Gong Zai Xin, Children's White Sugar Syrup, etc.
If the baby has a wind-heat cold, such as symptoms like aversion to wind, sweating or no sweating, headache, conjunctival congestion, nasal congestion with purulent discharge, sneezing and coughing, thick white or yellow phlegm, thirst, sore throat, red or swollen tonsils, red tongue coating, and thin white or yellow tongue coating, the treatment should focus on suppressing cough while clearing lung heat.
Available Medications:
TCM: Children's Cold Relief Syrup, Gulu Powder, Children's Baotai Kang Granules, Children's Resqing Oral Solution, etc.
Western Medicine: Tylenol Cold Syrup, Children's Benadryl, Motrin Syrup, etc.
If the baby does not have a fever, it is not recommended to give them medicine. Instead, they can be given more warm water and nutrients to boost their immune system against the illness. Extreme cold or heat can easily cause runny nose in babies. It is recommended that mothers try to maintain the room temperature between 25°C and 27°C for the baby's comfort.