Patient's question:
A 4-year-old boy has a cough with phlegm but cannot cough it up. He has been coughing for a long time, with severe symptoms in the morning and at night, and mild nasal discharge. He does not have a fever. The diagnosis is chronic bronchitis. Can he take licorice tablets? How long can he take them, and what should he combine them with for the best effect?Doctor's answer:
Generally, the baby should have a cold. For the situation you mentioned, you can usually give the baby antibiotics like cephalexin and licorice tablets together. You can drink more hot water, as it can cool the blood. It's best to eat less sugar, as it can make the phlegm increase continuously. Avoid cold foods or drinks, as this can help the cough improve much faster. Medications generally have side effects, so it's best to take less medication if there's no inflammation. It's essential to drink more water and avoid spicy and fried foods.