Question
A 10-month-old baby initially had clear nasal discharge accompanied by mild sneezing and did not take any medication. Two days later, the baby developed a slight cough and was given cephalosporin drugs and lung-clearing syrup. The cough has now subsided, but the baby still has a persistent runny nose without any other discomfort. What could be the cause of this? How effective was the past treatment? The main concern now is: What is the cause of the persistent runny nose? How should one handle it?
Answer
If the baby is only sneezing without other symptoms, it may be due to a mild cold. If there are other symptoms such as coughing or fever, it could be a cold as well. Usually, if the mucus is yellow, it is advisable to use medication for wind-heat type colds. It is recommended to take the child to the hospital for a trace element test to determine the type of cold and then treat accordingly. In the meantime, ensure the child gets plenty of fluids and consumes more fruits.