my 5 month old was just released from hospital from RSV but has bad cough, should I consider cough syrup?

Question

He was on oxygen for 2 days and when he coughs, he coughs so hard he gags. I want to make him more comfortable.

Answer 1

When my son was discharged after having RSV, I built him a mist tent. If you have plastic sheeting and a cool-mist humidifier, you can do the same. Now I don't expect all parents to go to these lengths but for now you can use a cool-mist humidifier (clean it daily with bleach). Give his frequent bottles of water to keep him hydrated and help thin bronchial secretions. You may have to do this in small increments. Use a bulb syringe to suction his nose. In the morning, contact his pediatrician and see what she/he advises for longer term use.

And I don't agree with "answerman" and what he says about allergic reaction with the hospital meds. Doesn't make sense to me.

Answer 2

For children that young, do not administer medicines that you have not discussed with your doctor. You might want to try some more generic remedies:

- Take baby into the bathroom, close the door, and run the bathtub on full-on hot, making a temporary "steam room." This helps to alleviate the symptoms of RSV for a time (but keep him away from the hot water! :-)

- Also, a brief exposure to cold air can help calm the cough.

- Try using a cool-air humidifier in his room as well. Stay away from the menthol additives that they often recommend.

HTH

Answer 3

I think you can give him cough syrup. but, if he's not getting better in 2 or 3 days. should see the doctor again. Anyway, they are a lot of kind of cough syrup, you should look for right dose and right indication e.g. antitussives or expectorants.

Answer 4

Cough is caused by a number of ailments.
It can be treated by over the counter medicines
or home remedies. More information available
at http://ailments.in/cough.html

Answer 5

Please call her nurse/doctor. Even you could give him the syrup, you should find out exactly how much and how often you could do it. I would try humidifier for now until I get the answer from the doctor.

Answer 6

Call your doctor honey....he just got out of the hospital. Use your head, not your heart.

Answer 7

STOP STOP

CONTACT UR DR BEFORE ANY MED GIVEN TO UR CHILD AS IT MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION DUE TO THE MED HE WAS GIVEN IN THE HOSPITAL

Answer 8

You need to talk to your doctor; not common folk online.