Question
A 7-year-old child has been experiencing a persistent dry cough for nearly a month after recovering from a cold, without any fever, and the coughing does not occur during sleep. The child has a history of bronchitis and is generally weak with poor appetite.
Answer
The child may have developed bronchitis, a common complication of upper respiratory infections. Initially, symptoms may include nasal congestion and runny nose, which then progress to coughing. Initially, there may be phlegm, which later turns into thin sputum, and the cough gradually subsides. Mild fever may also be present during the illness. In young children, there is also a special type of asthmatic bronchitis that is common in overweight children under the age of 2 with a history of eczema and allergies. This condition usually resolves before school age, but some may develop into asthma. Treatment includes rest, maintaining good indoor ventilation, eating nutritious and easily digestible food, staying hydrated, and supplementing vitamins. For chronic or recurrent cases, sulfonamide or penicillin antibiotics can be used, along with expectorants and cough suppressants. It is recommended that parents take their child to the hospital for a medical diagnosis and to develop a treatment plan.