Question
What should I do if my baby keeps coughing and sneezing? My baby caught a cold after being exposed to a breeze a little over a month ago. Since then, there has been some nasal discharge, followed by coughing. The coughing and sneezing have continued until now, along with phlegm. During this period, we’ve done nebulization treatments and have been administering medication consistently, but there hasn’t been much improvement.
Answer
When your baby shows symptoms of coughing and sneezing, first determine if it’s caused by a viral infection. Viral infections generally don’t require concern as they tend to heal on their own over time. If the symptoms are due to post-influenza bronchitis triggered by catching a cold and don’t improve, it’s advisable to have your baby undergo a thorough examination, including blood tests, chest X-rays, sputum cultures, and laryngoscopy. Prolonged use of antibiotics may lead to bacterial endocrine disorders.