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How to manage a runny nose and cough in my 13-year-old son?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My son is 13 years old. He has a runny nose and a mild cough, but no fever. He has had a slight throat pain and a cold for the past three days. Now he has a mild cough from yesterday.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

According to your statement, your son has been suffering from a runny nose, mild cough, throat ache, etc. Your son can take some medications like Azithromycin, Fexofenadine, Montelukast, and Acetaminophen or Paracetamol to relieve his present sufferings. He can gargle with salt mixed with lukewarm water three to four times daily to reduce his throatache.

Your son may take the following medications:-

1. Tablet Zithromax 250 mg 0+0-1 for 7-19 days.

2. Tablet Allegra (Fexofenadine) 60 mg 0+0+1 for 10 days.

3. Tablet Singulair 5 mg 0+0+1 for 14 days.

Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them, and take the medicines with their consent.

Hopefully, the above-mentioned medications will reduce your son's present sufferings.

Thanks and regards.

Patient's Query

Thank you, doctor, for the reply.

I just want to ask if it is a concern for COVID-19?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Without investigations, it is difficult to predict whether it is COVID-19 or not. Seasonal flu may present with such clinical features. Again, COVID-19 may also present with such features. In the case of asymptomatic positive patients, they may not show any clinical features.

Your son can undergo an antigen or antibody test for COVID-19 or an RT-PCR test. He can take the above-mentioned medications whether he is positive or not. In the case of developing COVID-19 pneumonia, only antiviral medications should be added to the above-mentioned medications.

I hope this helps.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Vinodhini J.
Published At January 6, 2021
Reviewed At June 8, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vinodhini J. is a Dental Surgeon with extensive years of clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and oral health issues, including restorative, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. With a patient-centered approach, she focuses on maintaining oral health, alleviating discomfort, and enhancing smiles. Her expertise ensures comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s dental needs and overall wellbeing.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam is a General Practitioner and Family Physician with broad clinical experience. He specializes in Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, delivering expert care for respiratory and internal conditions. With a patient-centered approach, he emphasizes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and prevention, providing comprehensive, personalized care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients across all ages.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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