Question
My baby has been running a clear nose for a few days and now it has turned yellow with clear mucus as well, and it’s quite thick. Is this serious? The baby’s mouth is full of sticky saliva. It seems like the baby might be swallowing mucus that can’t be blown out of the nose. They always swallow saliva. The nose is severely blocked, but everything else is fine. What medicine should I give to treat the mucus? It’s very uncomfortable. Should I give an antibiotic? I’ve already given him cefpodoxime.
Answer
The baby’s recurrence of nasal congestion and clear mucus may indicate an acute upper respiratory tract infection, usually caused by a virus, which may later be complicated by a bacterial infection. It is recommended to drink plenty of water, avoid catching a cold, get plenty of sunlight, and best to undergo a routine blood test. If the white blood cell count is normal, there is no need to use antibiotics; you can take ribavirin granules, phlegm-removing granules, and pediatric paracetamol sulfonamide granules for treatment. If the white blood cell count increases, then you will need to use azithromycin granules.