Question
My child has been coughing for over a month, and even after taking anti-inflammatory medication, there is no improvement. They don’t have a runny nose; they just cough. Since my wife has congenital heart disease, I’m worried that it might have been passed down to the child through generations. Could this cough be caused by congenital heart disease?
Answer
It’s quite normal for children to have a cold and cough. Just because your wife has congenital heart disease doesn’t mean your child will have it too. If you’re really concerned about your child possibly having congenital heart disease, you can take them to the hospital for an echocardiogram to diagnose it. There’s no need to worry all the time. If your child is coughing, you can have their blood routine tested to see if there is any bacterial infection. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment can be administered. Also, carefully check the cause of the cough so that appropriate treatment can be given.