Patient's question:
Child has a cough and has been taking medicine. How should I deal with the child's frequent cough?Doctor's answer:
Hello!Repeated coughing after a child's cold, which doesn't improve with prolonged treatment, is actually mostly due to allergic cough.
If the child's cough is episodic and dry, with no effect from antibiotics, accompanied by a scratchy throat, without fever, fear of cold air or smoke, and worsens at night, then the child may have cough-variant asthma or allergic bronchitis.
If it's also accompanied by symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as rubbing the nose, rubbing the eyes, sneezing, and runny nose, then the child may have allergic cough caused by allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic rhino-bronchitis. It's easily misdiagnosed, leading to mismanagement. Both the child and the parents suffer, and the money is wasted with significant side effects.
Guidance:
I. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbal Treatment:
When a child has clear nasal discharge, slightly elevated body temperature, throat discomfort, and reduced appetite, they can take small pills like Bao Yuan Dan or Zhi Bao Ding, one pill three times a day. If the condition worsens after taking it for a day, the medication should be stopped immediately, and the child should seek medical attention promptly.
If the child's cough is episodic and dry, with no effect from antibiotics, accompanied by a scratchy throat, without fever, fear of cold air or smoke, and worsens at night, it may be allergic cough. Refer to the extended reading 2 for more information.
For low-grade fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and mild cough in children, they can take Miao Ling Dan, one pill twice a day.
If the child has high fever, red throat, hoarseness, and a worsening condition compared to before, they can also take Xiao Er Qing Yan Chong Ji and Xiao Er Gan Mao Chong Ji.
For sudden fever in children, they can take Xiao Er Qing Re Chong Ji. If the fever is high and the child has a history of high fever convulsions, they can first take Zi Xue San. If the stool is dry, they can take Niu Huang Qing Re San once.
For children with cough due to colds without fever, they can use pediatric lung-clearing oral liquid, pediatric cough syrup, or cough syrup to control the progression of the cough.
If the condition does not improve, it's best to seek medical attention from a pediatrician. Additionally, these common pediatric respiratory Chinese herbal medicines should not be taken long-term or indiscriminately and are best used under a doctor's guidance. The folk saying "take Zhi Bao Ding whether sick or not" is not scientific. Long-term use of these medications can harm the child's spleen and stomach.
II. Western Medicine Treatment:
The key is to identify the cause of the cough to provide correct treatment. If it's a bacterial respiratory infection, antibiotics should be used; if it's a viral respiratory infection, antiviral drugs should be administered. Most chronic coughs lasting over two months are allergic coughs, and the treatment should focus on eliminating respiratory allergic inflammation. For detailed treatment, refer to the extended reading 2. If allergic rhinitis is also present, it may be allergic rhino-bronchitis, and desensitization treatment should be the primary approach.