Question
Started coughing three days ago, with slight runny nose and sneezing symptoms. The tongue coating is thin and white, urine is clear, not feeling cold, no fever. However, I felt a bit chilly when I touched his body. Appetite is normal. Last night, he had intermittent coughing for about 20 minutes as he fell asleep. Upon waking up and throughout the day, he would cough without producing phlegm.
Answer
Your child’s condition may be a wind-cold cough, caused by exposure to wind and cold. The symptoms include frequent coughing, thin and white sputum, clear runny nose, pale or redish tongue with a thin coating, heavy cough sound, headache, fever, and in severe cases, rapid breathing. Treatment can be with San Nao Decoction plus herbs that reduce gas and resolve phlegm. There are many factors affecting the child’s respiratory system, so if the child is diagnosed with a respiratory condition, parents need to actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment. They should also help in gastrointestinal decompression and cultivate good hygiene habits. Parents should be cautious not to develop picky eating habits in their children and should have a balanced diet.