Question
A five-year-old child has been continuously coughing for two weeks with intermittent high fever (39.2~36.5 degrees Celsius), more severe at night. How should it be treated?
Answer
Coughing is a common symptom of respiratory infections, and fever can be a symptom of various diseases, including bacterial or viral infections. Treatment should not be solely aimed at lowering the fever without determining the cause. Physical cooling methods can be tried to alleviate symptoms, and consideration can be given to using antibiotics (such as azithromycin) and cough suppressants (such as Qiangli Pipayu). If medical treatment has been sought but there is no improvement, it is recommended to reassess the cause and possibly change the treatment plan. Additional information: The child has been hospitalized but there has been no improvement after two days of intravenous fluid administration. The cough and high fever continue.