Question
My baby has been coughing on and off for over a month, averaging about 5 coughs a day. Last month, blood tests and X-rays revealed mycoplasma pneumonia and bronchitis. After 9 days of intravenous drip treatment, the doctor said the child has entered the recovery phase and we can just take medication at home. It’s almost been a month since we came home, and we’ve taken two boxes of medicine, but there’s been no effect; the cough is still there. Sometimes, the baby sweats slightly and feels like there’s phlegm in the throat when breastfeeding. The baby is in good spirits. Do we still need to continue taking medication? How long will it take for the cough symptoms to completely recover?
Answer
Based on your description, your child’s condition is caused by a respiratory infection due to mycoplasma infection, with an average treatment period of 4 weeks. For your child’s situation, it is recommended not to continue with oral medication as long-term use of the same anti-mycoplasma drugs may lead to drug resistance. It is advisable for the child to avoid strenuous exercise, get plenty of rest, and avoid eating allergenic foods such as fish, shrimp, seafood, mangoes, oranges, and pineapples.