How do kids get rid of coughs?

Answer 1

Based on the additional information you provided (see discussion), here are some suggestions:

1. First, immediately contact the prescribing physician of the antibiotics and ask why your child has a repeated chronic cough, congestion, etc. that recurs so frequently despite the current treatment plans. There are some things the doctor can ask or find on further exam and labs and then reconsider, for example: Are antiviral medicines needed or different antibiotics needed? Should a culture be done to find out the organism to target, and if bacteria, to treat with a longer course of the best antibiotic for that bug? Are you properly giving the entire prescription of medicines each time or could you be discontinuing it when symptoms improve but before all doses are given in each course of treatment? Does the child have severe Allergies or Asthma or another complication that could be a contributing factor that also needs treatment? And etc.
2. If the dark color and appetite changes continue or worsen, go to the emergency room or an urgent care center, those can be signs, especially in children, that immediate care is needed.
3. Be sure that dehydration is not a factor and encourage fluids even if foods are rejected. Check the temp for fever and report if over 102F or if it lasts for more than a few days or does not go away after a few days of the antibiotic treatment. If rash and fever are both present, seek urgent care.
4. If that does not help, then consider seeking a second opinion from a different doctor. If you are seeing a family practice physician, you may need to see a pediatrician. You may also consider exam by a specialist [ask your doctor or find one yourself by asking friends, finding a pediatric pulmonologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist, or an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor) through physician-finding or referral services at a hospital or pediatric hospital or clinic, or even in the phone book.]
5. Contact your insurance company customer service department (the phone number should be on your insurance card) and ask about referral services through them and/or ask if they have case managers (usually nurses), best would be pediatric case managers on staff who could help advise you on what else could be done to avoid the chronic problems. They may be able to connect you to directly to other RN's who give advice in these situations on a call line. Some insurance companies even have physicians available who can give suggestions for a next step to a solution (it is also in the insurance company's best interest to help find the best treatment to avoid future health care service needs and to avoid expensive emergency room visits or hospitalization.) They can often be one of your best advocates in this type of situation.

Answer 2

Go to the doctor