Cough
Q. How do I treat Cough?
A. Cough is a protective reflex that helps the child clear secretions from the throat. Irritation of throat or other parts of airway can trigger cough, while irritation of nose can trigger cold or sneezing. Dust, smoke, strong smell and artificial food flavours are common irritants.
Q. Should every child who coughs be given medicines?
A. A small infant may cough occasionally to clear saliva. Occasional cough in any healthy child without any other complaints doesn’t need treatment. Children who have recurrent cough or those who have cough with fever / breathing problem need to see the pediatrician. Children who are not growing well also need to be seen by the pediatrician.
Q. What are common causes of cough in children?
A. Following are common causes of cough:
1. Acute Respiratory Infection
2. Allergy or Chronic Infections eg. Adenoiditis, Sinusitis etc.
3. Childhood Asthma
4. Post Viral Hyper-reactive Airway Disease
If your pediatrician has suggested to manage the wound at home and prescribed an ointment and explained dressing, always watch for increasing redness, pain, foul odour or pus discharge from burned area. In any of these situations it is advised to revisit the Pediatrician.
Q. How do I safeguard children against burn injuries at home?
A. There are three aspects of safeguarding against burn injuries. It requires installation of appliances, precautions in our day to day practices and preparedness in case of fire.
• If possible one should install smoke detectors at home and test them frequently.
• To place fire extinguishers at places where the risk of fire is highest. It is important to familiarize with its use.
• Not to leave food cooking on the stove
• To keep flammable liquids in lock, out of the reach of children
• To avoid plugging appliances into extension cords
• To keep matches and lighters away from children and avoid smoking at home
• To check water temperature from Geezer before the child goes under it
• To avoid using elevators during fire, use staircase instead and to go to refuge area in high rise
• To practice fire drills at home, including teaching children to crawl to exit, rolling on the ground, meeting at a fixed point outside the house
• To supervise children bursting fire crackers during festival like Diwali