How can dry chronic cough in a 12-year-old be managed if no relief is obtained after taking Prednisone and Erythromycin?
Patient: my daughter, age 12 has had a dry chronic cough since early june, she has since become exhausted and is now having body aches especially in her back. she can recover her breath ok but is too weak and tired for too much activity. After 3 trips to the doctor she was finally given prednisone for 12 days . She finished that 6 days ago and also tried erithromycin which she just finished today. She has no improvement. She did struggle with asthma as a child but hasn t had any major episodes since age 7. The only episodes recently might require her to use a rescue inhaler after heavy exercise in the heat and then only rarely. She has been a healthy active soccer player up until this point. Doctor: Hi,  By what you quote I feel what your kid could be having asthma. I have a few questions for you -  1. How many days per month does your kid cough or feel breathless?  2. How many nights per month does your kid's sleep get disturbed due to the above symptoms?  3. Does your kid feel breathless when running around or playing with other kids?  4. Are the symptoms when there are seasonal changes?  5. Is there any family history of asthma or any other sort of allergies like skin allergy etc?  6. Is a cough always associated with fever?  If your answer is yes for any of the above questions, your kid might be having viral associated wheezing or multi triggered wheezing.  I suggest you meet a paediatric pulmonologist who is near your place. No point in using antibiotics every time. It will do more harm than good by increasing bacterial resistance.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Take care  Regards, Dr Sumanth Amperayani, Pediatrician, Pulmonology