DEAR DOCTOR,

My kid of school-going age constantly gets cough and flu. I expected this as a cold spreads easily among kids. The thing is, I feel weird about giving her pharmaceutical medicine every time she has a cold, yet home remedies, like honey, don’t work as fast. Is it necessary to give her medication every time she has a cold? What do you recommend? CAROL

DEAR  CAROL,

Does your child have sneezing in morning with or without running of nose during day time? She may be having frequent flu due to allergy. Dust particles in the environment around are the most common allergy producing substances implicated in causing frequent flu.

Apart from this, pollens, fungal spores in atmosphere are other potential sources of allergy. Running nose, sneezing, dry cough, skin rashes, breathlessness, are some of the manifestations of allergy, and one or more of these symptoms may be present in the individual. Some food substances, particularly protein in diet like beans, nuts, can also cause allergy and frequent cold. Body-care products applied over the body, perfume inhaled, are other potential sources of allergy. Allergy producing substance can be identified by avoiding use of a substance either in food or local application for a few days and observing the difference in symptoms. Use of a mask in situations of exposure to dust is useful.

At times, the bridge in the middle of the nose (nasal cartilage) maybe slightly deviated (DNS, i.e. deviated nasal septum), causing frequent cold as one of the manifestations.  This problem is easily identified on physical examination and is corrected by minor surgery.

Very dry air as with use of room heaters can also cause frequent cold due to irritation of the inner lining of nose. Drinking more fluids, avoiding room heaters, can solve this problem.

Small children are more vulnerable to develop infections as their immune system is still developing. In play groups and nursery schools, chances of cross infection also increase among small children.

Anything causing cold can cause cough as well, due to irritation of throat. But it is not desirable to give medicines to the child immediately on having cold and or cough.  The medicines used are not free from side effects. Steam inhalation, drinking hot fluids, does help, if done regularly. Herbal products like use of ginger, honey, basil leaves, also help. Medicines should be used only if the problem is severe or there is associated fever.

Efforts should be made to augment the immunity of the child. A diet rich in vitamin C and antioxidants is beneficial in this regard.  It should include more of green leafy vegetables, fruits like oranges, berries, nuts, etc. Encourage the child to play outdoors, be in the sun for some time.

 Dr. Rachna Pande,Specialist in internal medicine rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk