Is there still cough after discharge from pediatric bronchitis and asthma?

Patient's question:

Age: 5 years
Main symptoms: Severe cough, wheezing sound before hospitalization, still coughing 7 days after hospitalization
Onset time: September 18, 2009
Laboratory test results: Mild anemia

Doctor's answer:

Hello! Don't worry, the recovery from illness is a process that takes time. As long as the cough is not severe, you can give the child more water to drink. You can also cook rock sugar pear water for the child to drink. Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease in children with a high incidence rate, occurring all year round, with peaks in winter and spring. When children have bronchitis, they often have varying degrees of fever, cough, reduced appetite, or accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. Younger children may also have symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing, which are signs of capillary bronchitis. Although a small number of children may develop bronchopneumonia, most children have mild conditions and are primarily treated with medication at home and proper care. Parents should follow medical advice to give medication to the child at the right times and provide good home care:
1. Keep Warm: Changes in temperature, especially the cold, can reduce the local resistance of the bronchial mucosa, worsening bronchitis. Therefore, parents should adjust the child's clothing according to the temperature changes and ensure they are well-covered during sleep to keep their body temperature above 36.5°C.
2. Drink More Water: Children with bronchitis may have varying degrees of fever, leading to increased water loss. It's important to give them more fluids. Sugar water or sugar saline can be used for supplementation, or rice soup or egg soup can be given. A semi-liquid diet is recommended to increase body moisture and meet the body's needs.
3. Nutrition: When children have bronchitis, nutrient consumption is higher. Fever and bacterial toxins can also affect gastrointestinal function, leading to poor digestion and absorption. Therefore, it's important to address nutritional deficiencies. Parents should follow a small-amount, frequent-meals approach, providing light, nutritious, balanced, and easily digestible semi-liquid or liquid diets, such as porridge, well-cooked noodles, egg custard, fresh vegetable juice, etc.
4. Turning and Back Rubbing: When the child coughs or produces phlegm, it indicates an increase in secretions in the bronchi. To help expel these secretions smoothly, you can use a nebulizer to help clear mucus, 2-3 times a day, for 5-20 minutes each time. For infants and young children, in addition to back rubbing, turning should also be done every 1-2 hours to keep them in a semi-recumbent position, which helps mucus expulsion.
5. Fever Reduction: In bronchitis, children often have moderate or low fever. If the temperature is below 38.5°C, there is generally no need to give fever-reducing medication. Treatment should focus on the underlying cause to solve the problem fundamentally. If the temperature is high, older children can be given physical cooling measures, such as applying a cold towel to the head or taking a lukewarm bath. However, this method is not suitable for young children, and medication may be necessary if needed.
6. Maintain a Good Home Environment: The child's living space should be warm, well-ventilated, and well-lit, with a certain level of humidity to prevent excessive dryness. If there are smokers in the household, it is best for them to quit or smoke outside to avoid the harmful effects of smoke on the child.