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

Patient's question:

Age: 5 years
Main symptoms: Severe cough, wheezing before hospitalization, still coughing 7 days after admission
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 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, primarily treated with medication at home and care. Parents should follow the doctor's advice to give medication on time and provide proper home care:
1. Keep Warm: Temperature changes, 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 maintain a 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 provided. 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 high, and fever and bacterial toxins can affect gastrointestinal function, leading to poor digestion and absorption. Therefore, it's essential to address nutritional deficiencies. Parents should adopt a small-amount, frequent-meal approach, providing light, nutritious, balanced, and easily digestible semi-liquid or liquid diets, such as porridge, well-cooked noodles, egg custard, fresh vegetables, and fruit juices.
4. Turning and Back Rubbing: When the child coughs or produces phlegm, it indicates an increase in secretions in the bronchi. To promote smooth phlegm discharge, 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 assisted every 1-2 hours to keep them in a semi-recumbent position, which helps phlegm discharge.
5. Fever Reduction: In bronchitis, children often have moderate or low fever. If the temperature is below 38.5°C, fever-reducing medication is generally not needed. 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 cold towels to the head or taking a warm bath. However, this method is not suitable for young children and may require medication if necessary.
6. Maintain a Good Home Environment: The child's living space should be warm, well-ventilated, and well-lit, with adequate humidity to prevent excessive dryness. If there are smokers in the household, it's best for them to quit or smoke outside to avoid the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on the child.