Question
My child has been suffering from chronic dry cough and has taken medications such as Montelukast Sodium Tablets, Loratadine Tablets, and Dextromethorphan Syrup. Although the symptoms have been somewhat relieved, they have not completely disappeared. The blood routine test shows a neutrophil count of 1.72 and a lymphocyte ratio of 50.7. What further treatment should be considered?
Answer
When assessing the child’s condition, the possibility of cough-variant asthma should be considered, which is a special type of asthma characterized by cough as the main symptom and is ineffective to antibiotic treatment. The current blood routine test results are within the normal range. It is recommended to undergo further examinations such as bronchial provocation test, bronchodilation test, and pulmonary function test for a definitive diagnosis. If diagnosed with cough-variant asthma, home nebulizer treatment is usually effective in alleviating symptoms with fewer side effects. At the same time, attention should be paid to a comprehensive and balanced diet to avoid malnutrition and strengthen the physique.