Patient's question:
My son is 6 years old. Since birth, he has had a persistent cough that never fully goes away. He tends to get sick whenever he gets cold, especially at night and after waking up. CT scans have shown no issues, but he frequently experiences simultaneous colds and coughs. He has been to local hospitals, where doctors have alternately diagnosed him with pharyngitis, rhinitis, or sinusitis. He has tried both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and has been to experienced TCM practitioners, but nothing has provided a permanent cure. He still gets sick easily when he gets cold, with the cough being particularly severe at night and after waking up. Initially, the cough might be dry, but later it becomes productive with phlegm.Doctor's answer:
The most common cause of a child's cough is infection. If the cough is frequent or lasts less than three days, a urine test should be conducted to check for bacterial, viral, or mycoplasma infection. Based on the results of the urine test, medication should be administered accordingly.Have the doctor perform a lung auscultation or take a chest X-ray to check for bronchitis or even pneumonia. If pneumonia is present and oral medication is ineffective, intravenous fluid treatment may be necessary. Also, pay attention if the cough lasts for a long time. If the child has a history of allergies, it's possible they may have allergic cough. Carefully identify and avoid allergens through testing to determine exactly what the child is allergic to.