Question
How to treat a child’s cough?
Answer
The first step in treating a cough is to determine the severity of the underlying disease. During a cold or flu, occasional coughs can be alleviated by drinking soup made with white radish. If the cough is accompanied by thick, sticky phlegm, medications that thin out secretions can be taken, such as 1/3 to 1/2 tablet of ammonium chloride, three times a day; 1 ml per year per dose of brown syrup, three times a day; fresh bamboo juice 5 to 10 ml, three times a day; expectorant: 5 to 10 ml, three times a day. At the same time, anti-inflammatory drugs can be combined, such as amoxicillin suspension 1 to 2 bags, three times a day; againin suspension 0.5 to 1.5 bags, three times a day; or cefuroxime suspension or tablets at 30 mg/kg/day, taken in three divided doses. However, for children with poor constitution and frequent loose stools, fresh bamboo juice and expectorant should not be used. If the cough is accompanied by high fever, attention should be paid to whether pneumonia is present, and the child should be taken to the hospital for treatment. If the cough persists for a long time and is accompanied by low fever and weight loss, it is necessary to check at the hospital for possible tuberculosis. If coughing occurs during crying, laughing, or eating and is accompanied by shortness of breath and cyanosis, the child’s chest and back should be tapped immediately, and a head-down position should be adopted to facilitate the expulsion of inhaled foreign objects. If it cannot be expelled, immediate medical attention should be sought.
It is important for parents to be aware that coughs should not be treated with anesthetic cough suppressants like codlemysin or cough syrup containing codeine, as these make sputum stickier and harder to expectorate, and they are also more likely to lead to secondary bacterial infections, worsening the condition. Unless the child has frequent dry coughs without phlegm that interfere with their nighttime sleep,
