Patient's question:
My baby is a few days old, and recently she occasionally coughs one or two times every day. It's not just when she's being fed. Is this normal, or should I have her lungs checked? She is eating and pooping normally. Thank you very much for your answer!Doctor's answer:
Coughing is a protective reflex of the human body. Bacteria and mucus in the respiratory tract can be expelled from the body through coughing. It serves to clean the respiratory tract and keep it clear. However, some young parents find that if their child has a slight cough, they quickly give them various cough syrups and cough medicines. After cough medicines enter the human body, they act rapidly on the cough center, producing a strong cough-suppressing effect. Although this method can temporarily relieve cough symptoms, it can cause a large amount of mucus and bacteria to accumulate in the respiratory tract, leading to secondary bacterial infections. In severe cases, it may cause chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and even lung atelectasis and heart failure, endangering life. Therefore, before the cause of the child's cough is identified, do not give cough medicines indiscriminately.