Viral Pneumonia

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Updated on Aug 25, 2014
Hi All, My 11 month old boy was admitted in the hospital with viral pneumonia for 5 days from Aug 8th to 11th. He was fine after he got discharged from the hospital now for the past two days he is having cough and running nose, dr has prescribed for nebulisation for two days and also mentioned he is having wheezing. I am worried if this is the starting stage of Asthama or his wheezing is just because of the chest conjestion. His wheezing is internal and he is active and plays normal. My husband had asthama when he was a kid and was on medication upto 8 years What can i do to avoid this frequent cough and cold as he is given antibiotics every two weeks. Thanks Soniya

| Aug 25, 2014
Hi Soniya, so sorry to hear your little one has to go through all this... but honestly, this is more a case, where a doctor will be a best judge. Asthma, though not hereditary, can make a child sensitive to allergies. You can consult a specialist in respiratory conditions. On your own, ensure his bedding and toys etc are totally clean with no dust etc. , try and figure out what sets off the cough (dust, humidity etc) and try and control it. hope this helps.


| Aug 27, 2014
Hi Soniya. My daughter had the pneumonia when she was under 2 years. She too had to be hospitalized. Post discharge we were instructed to keep her lightly dressed as the congestion can clear out faster this way than as compared to if the child is dressed in heavy or layered clothes. Secondly, as Ankita mentioned, regularly change your child's bed linen, towels and wash the utensils thoroughly after each use. Children may suffer a relapse easily so please follow the precautionary measures and check with the doctor if you have any concerns. Hope he feels better soon.

| Aug 28, 2014
Hi Soniya, My son is 20months and had similar problem last week, he is asmatic. Please make sure you protect your baby from any form dust that includes fragrances, talcum powder, from Air conditioner, fans etc. clean ur AC filters quite often if you keep it on for ur baby, My doctor advised me to use hot towel (dip in hot water and squeeze it) and wipe his face often. Dust could be the main reason. Make his bedding dust free. try to have greens around house and provide pollution free environment as possible you can, Babies would automatically develop immunity as they grow. Don't worry. He would get better soon.

| Aug 28, 2014
do not stop antibiotic in the middle, give the full course as prescribed. If you notice, anyone would cough for a week if they take antibiotics. thats normal. Once the medication is done try to give him tulsi extract thrice a week. you can give egg on a regular basis which would help to avoid chest congestion or Phelm accumulation