Question
How should I handle a two-week-old baby’s persistent cough?
Answer
This persistent cough in a two-week-old baby might be due to a common cold caused by wind and cold. Symptoms include frequent coughing, thin, whitish sputum, clear nasal discharge, pale and slightly red tongue, thin coating, loud cough sounds, headache, fever, and in severe cases, may be accompanied by wheezing. Treatment can be attempted with the use of Sanao Decoction combined with medication to reduce gas and phlegm. For fever, it is recommended to first use physical cooling methods. When the body temperature is below 38.5℃, you can use warm water to wipe the body, especially the limbs and back, until the skin turns red (the skin on the chest and abdomen is more sensitive and may cause shivering due to stimulation, so it is not recommended to wipe these areas). Do this every 20 minutes or so to effectively lower the temperature.