Question
My son is one and a half weeks old. He has had occasional dry coughs since he was three months old. I have asked doctors, but they haven’t given a clear answer, so I’m consulting online.
Answer
The treatment for a baby’s dry cough should be tailored to the different causes. Common reasons include:
- Dry air in the surrounding environment, which can cause discomfort in the baby’s throat leading to dry cough. A humidifier can be used to improve the air humidity.
- Early symptoms of respiratory tract infections, often accompanied by pharyngeal congestion and dry cough. Antiviral treatment, such as ribavirin spray, can be administered for local nasal and oral treatment.
- Indigestion, which may be accompanied by vomiting and loose, yellow stools. Digestive aids such as oral multi-enzyme tablets and Lactobacillus acidophilus powder can be given.
- Gastroesophageal reflux, where stomach acid reflux stimulates the throat causing dry cough. An abdominal ultrasound may be necessary for diagnosis if needed.