Patient's question:
My baby is two and a half months old. The past two days, she had a fever of 38.6°C with a cough. The fever reducer brought her temperature down to normal, and she took common cold medicine and cough medicine. On the third day, I suspected she had the flu. After taking medicine, her temperature dropped to 37-37.7°C, her cough reduced, and she had sticky nasal mucus, but not much. She is not eating well and lacks energy. Could my baby really have the flu? What tests should I do at the hospital to confirm if it is the flu? Thank you.Doctor's answer:
The baby has a runny nose, hiccups, nasal congestion, etc., which may indicate a cold. However, for influenza A, laboratory tests or a doctor's examination are required for preliminary diagnosis. Antiviral medications are generally used for colds within 48 hours, as most colds are caused by viral infections. The baby has sticky secretions, which could also be due to a viral infection. The above suggestions are for this issue, and we hope they are helpful to you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!