How to cure cough from snot in children
Coughing from snot in a child is a natural reaction of the body to a respiratory irritant, which is the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx.
Table of contents:
- How to cure cough from snot in children
- Do you have a strong dry or wet cough from dripping snot?
- Treatment - how to help a child with a cough from snot
- Doctor Komarovsky's opinion
- Treatment of cough due to snot using inhalations
- We recommend reading
- How to treat a wet cough in a child
- How to treat a child’s cough according to Komarovsky
- How to cure a cough quickly at home
- Comments
- Helpful advice
- Online lung health tests
- Didn't find an answer
- How to cure cough from snot in children
- How snot causes a cough
- What to treat: runny nose or cough
- Treatment of small noses - video by Dr. Komarovsky
- How to help a child
- Cough due to snot in a child: causes, diagnosis and prevention
- Cough from snot in a child at night: treatment depending on age and popular drugs
- A child is choking on snot, what to do: folk remedies and emergency help
- What to do if your child has a cough from snot?
- Can a child cough due to snot?
- Main reasons
- How and how to treat a child’s cough from snot
- Sinus rinsing
- Vasoconstrictor drops
- Antiallergic drugs
- Antiviral drugs
- Antibacterial drugs
- Conclusion
- Cough from snot in a child: how to treat it? Child coughs in his sleep
- Causes of night cough in a child
- How to determine that a cough is from snot?
- How to help a child urgently?
- How to treat?
- If a child coughs in his sleep: Dr. Komarovsky
- Cough from snot in a baby: what to do?
- Video on the topic
- Add a comment Cancel reply
- Severe cough from snot
- about the project
- We are in social networks
- Contacts
- Causes and treatment of cough from snot in children
- Cough from snot: how to diagnose?
- First aid for a child
- Focus on a runny nose or cough?
- Action tactics
- Antiviral drugs
- Antibiotics and antiseptics
- Treatment by age
- For children of the first year of life
- Medicines for children from 1 to 3 years old
- Children over 3 years old
- Related materials:
- Yulia Astafieva
- Add a comment Cancel reply
- search by symptoms
- Children's cough
- Find out more
- New on the site
During the formation of mucus in the nasal canals, some of the snot can enter the larynx and provoke bronchial spasm in order to get rid of extraneous biological fluid, which in the normal state of health of the child should not be present in the respiratory system. In addition, the upper and lower segments of the respiratory organs are directly interconnected. If a pathological process with abundant accumulation of mucus develops in the nasopharynx, then sooner or later the inflammation will indirectly affect the bronchopulmonary system. Very young children do not always understand that if there is snot in their nose, they should immediately blow their nose. In this regard, mucus often flows down the larynx into the trachea and provokes an attack of dry cough, which immediately passes after the respiratory canal is cleared.
Do you have a strong dry or wet cough from dripping snot?
The presence of dry or wet bronchial spasm during the period of congestion in the child’s nasal canals with abundant accumulation of mucus depends on how much snot enters the respiratory tract. A strong dry cough with constant flow of mucus into the larynx and trachea is a typical reaction of the body to prevent snot from getting into the bronchial tree and complicating the breathing process. In this case, do not be alarmed if your child develops a dry cough for this reason. Dr. Komarovsky believes that you just need to take timely measures to prevent snot from flowing into the child’s throat. To do this, you should use medications to clear the nose of mucus, give the baby anti-inflammatory drugs and moisturize the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. Also, do not forget to remove snot in a timely manner and teach your child to blow his nose correctly.
A wet cough from dripping snot can be observed in a baby if mucus from the nasopharynx constantly flows into the trachea and, during the period of bronchial spasm, comes out through the oral cavity. This is only possible if children have runny rhinitis, when the snot resembles water. This is a very dangerous condition, since the child’s respiratory system can be significantly damaged by excess foreign biological fluid. The development of secondary inflammation in the bronchial tree and trachea cannot be ruled out.
If the snot that forms in the nasal canals has a thick consistency and practically does not flow into the larynx, and the baby still has a strong wet cough, then there is a high probability that the child has caught a cold and inflammation develops not only in the nasopharynx, but also in the lower segments of the respiratory organs. Then parents will need to pay special attention to the treatment of pulmonary disease in order to prevent severe pulmonary complications with the baby’s health.
Treatment - how to help a child with a cough from snot
In cases where inflammation in the nasopharynx has affected the mucous membrane of the trachea and bronchi, which in turn has led to the development of a dry or wet cough, mucolytic agents must be used to treat the child. If attacks of bronchial spasm are not caused by infectious or viral microorganisms, then the therapeutic course of getting rid of cough caused by snot lasts about 2-3 days. Until the bronchospasm stops, or the sputum stops coming out. At the same time, parents, according to the instructions of the attending pediatrician, are engaged in the treatment of a runny nose, which reduces the child’s quality of life. Eliminating the symptoms of rhinitis is a prerequisite for getting rid of cough.
The following medications are used as medications, namely:
- Bromhexine syrup. This is one of the safest remedies intended for the treatment of dry and wet cough caused by rhinitis. It can be taken even by infants based on a dosage of 2 mg 3 times a day. Children over 2 years of age take the medicine 4 mg 3 times a day. A child in the age group of 6-14 years receives a dosage of 16 mg of syrup 3 times a day. Children over 14 years old do not require special treatment for a cough caused by snot, since at this age the child is already able to fully understand the harm of mucus flowing into the larynx and can independently cough up foreign biological fluid.
- Gerbion syrup. Excellent for sensitive children's bodies, because it consists entirely of natural ingredients of plant origin. The medicine contains the active substance plantain extract. The only disadvantage of the medication is that it is impossible to treat infants with this drug due to the fact that there are a number of medical contraindications for patients of such a young age. Taking cough medicine caused by snot flowing from the nasopharynx into the larynx is allowed only after the child reaches 2 years of age. The drug is taken 1 measuring spoon 3 times a day. For children aged 7 years and older, the dosage is doubled.
In most cases, special treatment for bronchial spasm caused by the flow of mucus into the trachea, which accumulates in the nasal canals, is not required.
The only exceptions are situations when the child really does not know how to blow his nose and snot getting into the larynx is natural. Then the use of mucolytic syrups is really advisable. Regardless of the presence of primary symptoms and the clinical picture of the baby’s health condition, medications should be prescribed by a specialized pediatrician, with whom the child is registered and undergoes periodic monitoring.
Doctor Komarovsky's opinion
Many young mothers turn to Dr. Komarovsky with a fairly common question: what to do if the child cannot blow his nose on his own and the snot always provokes a dry cough. Similar topics can be seen on various medical forums. Dr. Komarovsky advises not to rush to use mucolytic and anti-inflammatory drugs intended for the treatment of the respiratory system. Moreover, if the baby does not have an increase in body temperature or other symptoms of a cold.
It is necessary to focus on the problem of rhinitis itself. First of all, you should find out the reason for the accumulation of mucus in the nose. Carry out regular removal of snot, lubricate the mucous membrane of the child’s nasal canals with Oxalin ointment. It is imperative to take tests to determine if your baby is predisposed to allergic reactions. It is possible that rhinitis is provoked by pathogenic irritants present in environmental conditions.
Dr. Komarovsky also advises paying attention to what time of day the child begins to experience snot and coughing attacks, which at first glance have a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the flow of mucus into the larynx and bronchial spasm. If a similar painful condition of the respiratory tract is observed in a baby at night, then it is quite possible that the first signs of the development of bronchial asthma are of an allergic nature. In such cases, swelling of the mucous membrane of the upper and lower respiratory tract occurs. The child feels severe irritation in the nose, and liquid mucus begins to form. Then the pathological process spreads to the larynx, trachea and bronchial tree. The final phase is a spasm of the walls of the bronchi and the onset of an attack of dry cough.
Treatment of cough due to snot using inhalations
In addition to taking mucolytic syrups, you can also use a therapeutic method such as inhalation of the respiratory tract. Thanks to its use, a therapeutic effect is simultaneously performed on the nasopharynx and bronchial tree, where a spasm occurs in the form of a wet or dry cough. You can perform this procedure even at home. The main thing is that parents can organize the child’s perseverance for 5-10 minutes. To relieve your baby of a painful cough caused by snot flowing into the laryngeal cavity, you should follow the following recommendations:
- Take a metal pan and pour 500 ml into it. drinking water.
- Bring the liquid to a boil over medium heat.
- Throw 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of alcohol tincture of eucalyptus extract into boiling water.
- Remove the pan from the stove and cover with a lid so that steam from the metal container does not escape into the air space of the room.
After performing these manipulations, the child is quickly seated at the table and covered with a thick terry towel so that it is simultaneously thrown over the baby’s head and covers the pan with the inhalation solution. Then the lid of the container is opened and the child must inhale the medicinal vapors of soda and eucalyptus, which, under the influence of temperature, have been transformed into a volatile state. It is very important to follow safety rules during such inhalation. The baby's face should be at a sufficient distance from the flow of hot steam.
The very essence of the procedure is to breathe in the fumes of eucalyptus extract, which fill the space under the towel. Do not get too close to a metal container or source of steam to avoid getting a thermal burn. A positive therapeutic effect is achieved due to the fact that soda dilutes mucus and has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Eucalyptus extract moisturizes the painful mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and expands the bronchial space. After each such procedure, the child feels relief, his breathing becomes clear, and his runny nose does not bother him for a long period of time.
We recommend reading
How to treat a wet cough in a child
How to treat a child’s cough according to Komarovsky
How to cure a cough quickly at home
Comments
Helpful advice
Citrus fruits help strengthen the immune system, but they are not always allowed to be consumed if you have lung diseases. Consult your healthcare provider for clarification.
Online lung health tests
Didn't find an answer
Ask your question to our expert.
© 2017– All rights reserved
All about lung and respiratory health
The information on the site is provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of disease, consult a doctor!
Source: http://yadishu.com/drugie-zabolevaniya/tussis/chem-lechit-kashel-ot-sopley-u-rebenka.html
How to cure cough from snot in children
The causes of cough in childhood are varied, and some of them are truly complex and dangerous. But when a child starts coughing, you shouldn’t immediately panic; it’s important to figure out what exactly provokes this condition. A situation may arise that the cough reflex is a consequence of irritation of the mucous membrane by secretions from the nasal cavity - snot. In this case, the actions of the parents and treatment are very specific.
How snot causes a cough
The nasal mucosa reacts to irritants, responding to such exposure with increased mucus production. Depending on the situation, the discharge (or snot) can be thin or thick. The nasal cavity itself is open on both sides, so that excess mucus can either come out or enter the nasopharynx.
A cough does not always need to be treated immediately - sometimes it is worth tackling the root cause, for example, a runny nose
Cough, in turn, occurs as a reaction of the body to various irritations of the respiratory tract. It is quite obvious that if mucus from the nose flows down the nasopharynx, the child’s cough reflex will be activated. Thus, a cough due to a runny nose can occur in any situation where there is increased mucus production:
- allergic reaction of the body;
- physiological runny nose;
- defeat of an infectious nature;
- entry of a foreign body into the nasal cavity;
- sudden temperature changes;
- hypothermia of the body;
- traumatic damage to the nasal mucosa.
A runny nose can be provoked by any cause that causes inflammation of the mucous membrane.
A cough against a background of snot will last as long as the irritant is present, namely the snot itself. Typically, this problem is not permanent and appears sporadically. This type of cough can easily be confused with a wet cough, but in this situation it is not sputum that is released, but nasal mucus. In children, such coughing attacks often occur at night, when the child is sleeping, and the body position encourages mucus to flow into the nasopharynx.
What to treat: runny nose or cough
It is very important to accurately determine the cause of the cough reflex, since when a cough is provoked by a runny nose, no special drug treatment is prescribed to the child to influence the cough itself.
Doctor's advice: do not self-medicate and give your baby syrups and tablets at the first coughing attack. All drugs have their side effects, especially when overdosed and used unnecessarily. If a cough occurs due to snot, such exposure will only harm the baby and will not help in any way to get rid of the attacks.
You only need to treat the runny nose itself, and after the irritant disappears, its consequences will also pass. The following methods may be effective for eliminating runny nose in children.
Used remedies for runny nose
Rinsing the nose, removing mucus with a rubber bulb and using drops
You can rinse your baby's nose with regular saline solution. The child is placed on his back, the already dried crusts are removed from the nose, a few drops of the solution are instilled and after a few minutes the nasal passages are cleaned with dry pieces of cotton wool.
Drops can only be used as prescribed by a doctor; they must be safe for the baby. You should stop using sprays.
Safe treatments for runny nose in children include Otrivin Baby and AquaMaris drops. These products can be used from the first month of life.
A proven folk method for getting rid of a runny nose in infants is to instill beetroot juice diluted with water into the nose (in a 1:1 ratio).
Rinse the nose and use drops
Washing is done using a different method: the baby is placed in front of the container and asked to tilt his head forward. The solution is injected into the nasal cavity using a bulb with a soft tip using slow movements. The steps are repeated from the second nostril.
The use of drops is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor and in accordance with the instructions. The pediatrician may prescribe the following medications: Vibrocil, Aqualora Baby.
In addition to the remedies already mentioned, you can use folk recipes and special creams.
Creams for runny nose - Pinosol, Clean nose.
Products based on fir and eucalyptus oils - in the form of drops or inhalations - are great for coping with a runny nose.
Other treatment methods are prescribed depending on what exactly caused the runny nose.
Treatment of small noses - video by Dr. Komarovsky
How to help a child
In order to alleviate the baby’s condition, it is also necessary to create comfortable conditions for the normal functioning of the mucous membrane. We are talking about maintaining optimal air humidity, periodic ventilation and timely wet cleaning to eliminate dust particles in the room.
Dr. Komarovsky's opinion: coughing due to snot does not require any special medications; parents can help the child only by properly rinsing the nose, elevated position of the head during sleep and clean, fresh air in the room.
Coughing due to snot is an unpleasant problem, but not dangerous. You should not be too zealous in treatment - no special measures aimed directly at the cough reflex itself should be used.
Source: http://pediatriya.info/?p=7855
Cough due to snot in a child: causes, diagnosis and prevention
Cough due to snot in a child is a widespread symptom that occurs against the background of a common cold or allergic rhinitis in children of different ages.
In newborns and infants, cough due to a runny nose develops several times more often than in a child over three years old.
This is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the upper respiratory tract, and the child’s inability to properly remove mucus from the nasal passages.
The accumulation of mucous discharge in the nasal sinuses leads to the flow of mucus along the back wall of the pharynx into the larynx, bronchi and trachea, irritation of which activates the cough reflex. A child’s cough due to snot worsens at night or after a nap and is accompanied by a sore throat, nasal congestion and fever if the runny nose is of infectious etiology.
Causes of severe runny nose in children:
- viral rhinitis;
- bacterial rhinosinusitis;
- allergic rhinitis (hay fever);
- drying of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages;
- adenoid hyperplasia;
- foreign body of the nose;
- teething.
In babies under six months of age, symptoms of a runny nose and cough are accompanied by intestinal disorders, diarrhea and flatulence. Starting from the age of one, ARVI is manifested by severe nasal congestion, dry and then wet (wet) cough with the discharge of clear or green sputum. A change in mucus color indicates the addition of secondary bacterial flora and requires the initiation of antibacterial treatment.
The flow of purulent sputum during sleep is a risk of developing pneumonia in a child. Diagnosis of the reasons why a child develops a cough due to snot begins with an examination by a pediatrician, rhinoscopy and auscultation of the lungs. As a rule, the diagnosis is made after the first visit and does not require additional examination. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause of the runny nose, restoring the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract to prevent coughing.
Prevention of cough due to snot in a child is aimed at preventing the flow of mucus, the use of vasoconstrictor drops and regular rinsing of the nose, and the use of suction for severe runny nose. When sleeping at night, the child is placed on a pillow, creating an inclination that prevents mucus from flowing into the bronchi. The use of expectorant syrups during a runny nose reduces the risk of developing cough symptoms by protecting the mucous membrane and stimulating the outflow of mucous exudate.
Cough from snot in a child at night: treatment depending on age and popular drugs
Cough from snot in a child at night requires early treatment, due to the high risk of developing pneumonia. Coughing is a physiological reaction aimed at clearing the lumen of the bronchi and trachea from mucus, however, with excess accumulation, the cough turns into attacks that disturb the child’s night sleep.
Children after two years of age are recommended to rinse their nose with sea salt solutions, which you can buy at the pharmacy or prepare yourself. For severe runny nose, vasoconstrictor drops are used to eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane. Drugs aimed at eliminating viral or bacterial infections are more often used in children over 5 years of age. The choice of medication is made by the attending physician after examination and identification of the etiological factor. For allergies, antihistamines are prescribed to relieve swelling and block the production of exudate.
Vasoconstrictor drops are used only after the recommendation of a pediatrician, in the dosage prescribed for a specific age. The drops begin to act 15 minutes after instillation, the duration is from 3 to 5 hours. For children under 6 years of age, the use of drops rather than sprays is recommended due to the risk of the jet entering the mouth of the Eustachian tube and damaging the mucous membrane. Rinse solutions are actively used starting from the age of 2 years of a child’s life. For colds and flu, wash the nose 3 to 4 times a day for a week.
Rinsing removes bacteria and viruses from the nose and prevents pathogens from entering the lower respiratory tract. Antiseptics are used in children over 12 years of age, due to their strong effect on the mucous membrane. The drugs are aimed at local destruction of pathogenic flora at the site of inflammation, and are extremely effective when prescribed together with antibiotics or antiviral agents. Inhalation of active substances and essential oils has a protective effect on the bronchi, restoring the mucous membrane, and an expectorant effect and sputum production. Inhalations reduce nasal congestion, make breathing more free, and relieve inflammatory changes in the nasopharynx.
A child is choking on snot, what to do: folk remedies and emergency help
The first question for parents who find themselves in a situation for the first time when a child is choking on snot is: what to do?
The baby begins to actively breathe through the nose, mucus flows into the larynx and bronchi, and a severe cough develops, affecting the general condition and health of the child. In infancy, a severe runny nose interferes with normal food intake and breastfeeding.
Folk remedies aimed at relieving nasal congestion include the use of essential oils or garlic in older children. Patches soaked in a complex of essential oils are sold in pharmacies and attached to the baby’s pillow or pajamas during nighttime sleep. The patches reduce the symptoms of a runny nose, gently relieve congestion, and restore the child’s sleep.
How can I help urgently? Vasoconstrictor drops are urgently applied, after which the mother uses an aspirator to remove excess mucus. If congestion quickly increases, you should humidify the air and use essential oils for a complex effect on the nasal mucosa. Warm steam inhalations for a child over 9 years old will quickly relieve congestion, speed up mucus discharge and relieve cough.
Specialty: Otorhinolaryngologist Work experience: 29 years
Specialty: Audiologist Work experience: 7 years
Source: http://gajmorit.com/kashel/iz-za-soplej-u-rebenka/
What to do if your child has a cough from snot?
Cough is the body’s response to irritation of the respiratory tract. With the help of forced exhalations, the mucous membrane is cleared of dust, pathogenic strains, and foreign bodies. Coughing can be differentiated as a natural counteraction to aggressive external sources or a signal of serious pathological changes.
One of the factors of irritation of the larynx is the leakage of muconasal secretion through the nasopharynx. What is the specificity of the disease, what therapeutic measures does the solution to the problem require?
Can a child cough due to snot?
Activation of the body's defenses is characterized by the production of copious amounts of mucous-serous discharge.
Depending on the situation, snot comes out through the airways or covers the nasal cavity, pharyngeal ring and the back wall of the larynx. Impaired fluid removal is called posterior rhinitis or nasopharyngitis.
Against the background of pathology, the following deviations develop:
- mild runny nose;
- coughing attacks, the intensity of which increases at night;
- increased body temperature;
- vomit;
- itching, tingling sensation in the nose and throat.
When auscultating the lungs, breathing is clear and even, no extraneous wheezing or noise is heard.
Forced exhalations are activated when the patient is in a horizontal position. The accumulated mucus passes through the upper part of the pharynx, irritating the cough center and vomiting receptors.
Unproductive reflex exhalations are often confused with wet exhalations, but in fact, the baby is not coughing up phlegm, but accumulated nasal mucus. This explains why a child coughs from snot when he sleeps.
Main reasons
Heavy discharge and accumulation of mucus are associated with the following factors:
- anatomical changes in the osteochondral tissue of the nose;
- infection of the respiratory tract by pathogens;
- exposure to antigens (allergic rhinitis);
- localization of benign neoplasms (polyps, adenoids);
- dysregulation of blood vessel tone (vasomotor rhinitis).
The root causes of rhinovirus infection (the same name as rhinopharyngitis) can be problems with the digestive tract. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, pancreas, and gallbladder walls affects the upper gastrointestinal tract - the pharynx and nasopharynx.
Prolonged irritation of the inner lining provokes chronic inflammation, increased production of viscous secretions, resulting in the development of a non-productive cough.
For reference! With snot on the back wall, infants gain weight poorly. The reason is that babies cannot fully consume mother's milk, because... forced to systematically interrupt the sucking process in order to take a few breaths through the mouth.
Predisposing factors for acute nasopharyngitis are hypothermia, a state of immunosuppression, and insufficient enrichment of the body with vitamins.
A cough due to snot in a child occurs due to the concentration of a foreign object in the paranasal sinuses. The reflex will appear until contact with the allergen is eliminated.
How and how to treat a child’s cough from snot
Before drawing up a medication regimen, the doctor identifies the source of irritation using a visual examination and instrumental research methods - rhinoscopy.
Therapy for pathological changes is aimed at stopping sources of infection, normalizing natural breathing, and restoring soft tissues. The clinical picture, when a cough appears after snot, requires early treatment, because there is a high risk of developing pneumonia.
Emergency treatment and preventive measures are based on changing the environmental conditions in the room. For this purpose, a climate control device is used to condition, increase humidity and ionize the air.
The indoor microclimate must be maintained at 50-60%. If there is no humidifier in the house, you can hang wet towels on the radiators. Be sure to ventilate the room, especially before going to bed.
The baby should sleep on a bed with a high headboard. You can create a lift using a pillow under the mattress. Such manipulations help prevent mucus from flowing into the middle ear. The muconasal secretion flows down the throat and is swallowed without affecting the cough center.
Sinus rinsing
Cleansing of the paranasal sinuses is carried out at home and is allowed for children of any age. For patients under one year of age, the procedure is performed in a supine position with a pillow under the head.
Instill 1-2 drops of saline solution or a weakly concentrated saline solution into each nostril (1 tsp of salt per 1 liter of water). After 1-2 minutes, the crusts become soft and can be easily removed with cotton wool or gauze.
Hygiene of the nasal cavity in children older than one year is carried out in a standing position over the sink, head in a horizontal position. Using a medical bulb, aspirator or syringe without a needle, the solution is injected into one nostril.
With proper manipulation, the liquid flows freely from the opposite hole. Two canals are irrigated alternately.
Fact! Cleansing the sinuses with saline improves the absorption of medicinal components.
Safe medications for the treatment of the common cold include pharmaceutical products based on isotonic water with admixtures of beneficial macroelements (zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, sodium). “Aquamaris”, “Humer”, “Otrivin Baby” are widely used in ENT practice.
Vasoconstrictor drops
The therapeutic goal is to normalize natural breathing through the nose, reduce the amount of secretion produced, and relieve swelling of the mucous membrane. It is possible to achieve positive dynamics with complex treatment with drugs from different pharmaceutical groups.
Emergency medications include sympathomimetics. They act on receptors, causing a decrease in blood vessels, swelling of the accessory sinuses, and help restore drainage function.
The presence of moisturizing components in the composition ensures the elimination of dry epithelium. The medicinal effect appears 10 minutes after irrigation and lasts up to 8 hours.
Topical drugs are not detectable in plasma, because are absorbed in minimal quantities.
In pediatrics, Otrivin, Nazivin, Brizolin are prescribed in cases of urgent need for a short course of up to 5 days.
Unsystematic use of nasal drops increases the risk of developing tachyphylaxis (addiction to the medicine). The single and daily dose is determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient’s age, medical history and severity of the pathology.
Antiallergic drugs
Snot of allergic etiology is treated with antihistamines. A group of drugs is also used for viral rhinitis. The actions of H1 blockers are aimed at reducing intoxication of the body by waste products of infectious agents.
When choosing drops, the doctor is guided by the physiological characteristics of the patient and individual intolerance to individual components. Suprastin, Claritin, and Zyrtec have proven effective in treatment.
The course of treatment varies from 5 to 10 days.
Important! A concomitant factor in recovery will be limiting contact with irritants (dust, pet hair, household chemicals, reactive substances, plant spores).
Antiviral drugs
Restoration of the upper respiratory tract in viral diseases requires the use of antibacterial drugs. Used in the treatment and prevention of infection with the viruses “Nazoferon”, “Grippferon”, “Interferon”.
Nasal agents are characterized by a direct effect on viruses of groups A and B, inhibiting the synthesis of pathogenic agents. The main composition of medications is represented by interferon, a protein that has an identical structure to compounds produced by the body during the immune response.
Antibacterial sprays are active in the first days of the lesion, because their action is limited to the intercellular level. Therefore, they are prescribed in a short course of up to 3-4 days when the first symptoms appear.
Antibacterial drugs
Indications for use include a runny nose of bacterial origin, chronic rhinitis, and the rehabilitation period after surgery.
Local antibiotics include Isofra, Bioparox, and Polydex. For instillation into the nasal cavity, Framycetin, Novoimanin, and Neomycin are used.
The choice of a specific medication is based on the sensitivity of pathogenic strains to its constituent components. Therapeutic pharmacodynamics consists of inhibiting the biological synthesis of bacterial cells, reducing the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane.
The treatment regimen and dosage are determined by the doctor.
Fact! It is recommended to use drops to irrigate the nasal passages of children under 2 years of age. Spraying of medicinal particles using a spray occurs under pressure, which increases the risk of damaging the Eustachian tube.
What to do if your child has a cough from snot? Doctors recommend fighting pathological changes with the help of pharmaceutical products of plant origin. Products based on fir and eucalyptus oil will help stop the formation of muconasal secretions.
They can be instilled into the nasal canals, treated with cotton pads soaked in essential oils, or inhaled in combination with saline or healing mineral waters “Borjomi” and “Essentuki”.
Dry cough from snot due to anatomical violations of the integrity of bone tissue, deviated nasal septum, adenoiditis, can be solved surgically. The operation ensures the restoration of the patency of the air cavities and the normalization of nasal breathing.
This indicator is especially important for children, in whom the development of the bone structures of the facial region and the dental system is interconnected with the ability to breathe through the nose.
Conclusion
Preceding factors for the flow of mucus through the nasopharynx in a child may be causes of an exogenous and endogenous nature. A cough after a runny nose, which gets worse when lying down, requires determining the cause. The complex of treatment depends on the catalysts for the development of the disease.
Directory of main ENT diseases and their treatment
All information on the site is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be absolutely accurate from a medical point of view. Treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor. By self-medicating you can harm yourself!
Source: http://gorlonos.com/drugie-zabolevaniya/u-rebenka-kashel-ot-soplej.html
Cough from snot in a child: how to treat it? Child coughs in his sleep
A sharp exhalation through the mouth, or cough, is a vital reflex: its task is to free the respiratory tract from foreign substances, including a runny nose.
If a child’s cough from snot recurs regularly, be sure to contact a pediatrician or otolaryngologist.
Especially in infants, rhinitis can lead to unpleasant consequences, like otitis media, or cause more serious harm to health. Treatment depends on the nature of the attacks and accompanying symptoms.
Causes of night cough in a child
It is important for parents to remember that coughing attacks are not an independent disease, but a symptom. It appears both during the day and at night.
But more often it occurs only during sleep. This is explained by the horizontal position of the body.
In this case, sputum, accumulating in the bronchi, dilutes and makes it difficult to breathe freely.
To the frequent question whether a child can cough due to snot, pediatricians also give a positive answer. This is one of the reasons for such attacks.
Also, snot flows into the throat and provokes a cough due to bacterial pathogens that cause inflammation of the sinus mucosa; it develops against the background of sinusitis. This mucus takes on a greenish tint and becomes thick.
This often affects infants and children under one year of age, especially when there is no pillow provided and sleep takes place on a flat, smooth surface.
If it is excessively dry or wet, or contains aerosol particles, a night cough sometimes develops.
Does the cough reflex develop only in the children's room or in other rooms? Does mom use aggressive detergents to wash bed linen? Answers to these questions will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
How to determine that a cough is from snot?
Correct treatment is possible with an accurate diagnosis. But a pediatrician can recognize the cause - after listening in the chest area, and an otolaryngologist - after examining the throat, nose and ear canals.
Before determining that the cough has developed specifically against the background of snot, parents can conduct independent observation.
- In infants, nasal secretions provoke a wet cough more often than in children 3.5 - 4 years old.
- Increased body temperature, lethargy, weakness, intestinal upset, lack of appetite indicate that a cold or viral infection is developing.
In this case, treatment requires an integrated approach, which only a doctor can provide: how to understand that there is no disease, and the cause of the pathology is in the nasal mucus? Contact a specialist.
The suspicion that a child is coughing due to snot can be confirmed or dispelled by adult observation.
When coughing from a runny nose, there is no wheezing or other noise in the breathing, which is determined by listening to the area of the bronchi and lungs. Mucus caused by rhinitis can be seen when it is coughed up. This secret is almost impossible to blow your nose away.
Sometimes another type of respiratory spasm develops: a dry cough from snot in a child; it is associated with irritation of the larynx, through which nasal secretions can flow.
Such attacks are not productive, and it is not necessary to treat them, but to eliminate the root cause - rhinitis, or to fight the causative agent of the disease.
Dry mouth, dry throat and itchy nose are signs of the initial stage of the disease. If nothing bothers you other than a runny nose, and it continues for more than 7 days or has chronic attacks, you should also contact your pediatrician. A physiological cough associated with a runny nose can be relieved using home methods.
How to help a child urgently?
Before giving a child a medication or folk remedy, parents must be aware of the responsibility of these measures. Lack of treatment, especially in a newborn, can lead to suffocation.
But even in older children, nasal mucus may drain into the bronchi and develop bronchitis, into the ear canals - and otitis media is possible.
When treating infants from the first months of life to 2 years, it is necessary first of all to change the environmental conditions in which they spend the night. Before going to bed, thoroughly ventilate the room and use a humidifier. If it is not there, hanging wet laundry in the room is acceptable.
Clearing your nasal passages before bed is also helpful. It is enough to clean them of crusts after bathing. If they formed at night and caused a cough reflex, they are removed by instilling 1 - 2 drops of mother's milk into the nasal passage.
Children over 2 years of age are allowed to wash with saline solution. Prepare it yourself - take from ¼ to 1 whole teaspoon of salt per 200 ml of warm boiled water.
They wash and irrigate the nose. For younger patients, sprays or drops are used; the latter are more convenient because they do not throw the contents into the Eustachian tubes.
Doctors warn parents against using interferon or antiviral drugs on their own, especially in the case of infants. Improper medication use reduces immune function and leads to complications.
How to treat?
Pediatricians warn: treatment of cough begins with finding out its root cause. If the provoking factor is nasal secretion, you should not take medications.
This applies to both cough and cough medications. In this case, they are ineffective and sometimes cause harm.
For children under 1 year of age, nasal mucus is removed using a rubber bulb. Rinse with saline or saline solution.
It is recommended to bury the nose with children's drops Otrivin, which contains xylometazoline, or Aquamaris. This product is based on sea water from the Adriatic Sea and resembles saline solution. For patients under 2 years of age, it is better to use drops.
The substance xylometazoline is included in the list of vital drugs, but has contraindications, so the instructions for Otrivin must be studied before use. Indicated for sinusitis, rhinitis, acute respiratory infections.
Folk remedies are also allowed. These include mixtures of aloe juice and honey, beet or onion juice. But sometimes they cause dryness, burning, and an allergic reaction.
Important! When asked by parents whether it is necessary to treat an independent runny nose, pediatricians answer that no. It is better to create conditions for its termination.
If a child coughs in his sleep: Dr. Komarovsky
If your child has a severe cough from snot and not for another reason, the pediatrician recommends taking the following measures.
Initially, install a humidifier in the room or carry out wet cleaning before going to bed. A low pillow is placed under the patient's head so that mucus does not accumulate in the sinuses and does not enter the ear canals.
This applies to patients over 3 years of age, when the body can already cope with the digestion of milk protein on its own.
This remedy has an enveloping property, prevents drying of the mucous membrane of the mouth and larynx, fights cough attacks and warms.
The next morning, Dr. Komarovsky advises showing the patient to a pediatrician who will make a diagnosis. The further treatment regimen or elimination of the cause of night attacks will depend on it.
Cough from snot in a baby: what to do?
Infancy is a difficult period for diagnosing sinusitis and cough syndrome. Parents are especially careful about what medications can be given to such children and whether it is necessary.
If the body temperature is normal, there is no redness of the throat or weakness, the baby is active, and the mucous discharge is clear in color and liquid in consistency, there is often no cause for concern. The body goes through one of the stages of adaptation to environmental conditions.
Residual cough attacks are also not treated when children have had an acute respiratory infection or a cold. If there is discharge and crusts in the nose, this may indicate that the baby is not properly attached to the breast or is overeating: milk from the stomach, when regurgitated, enters the nasal passage.
If a baby coughs due to snot for more than a week, which is accompanied by dryness and fever, immediately contact a pediatric consultation. A possible cause is sometimes the onset of a viral disease.
It is also necessary to cure a runny nose if the discharge has a yellow or greenish tint and is streaked with blood. Lack of therapy at this stage sometimes leads to sinusitis and chronic sinusitis.
Eliminating mucus with a rubber bulb, using saline solution, ventilating the children's room and humidifying the air are the best methods for preventing runny nose and cough syndrome due to snot.
But if this phenomenon is accompanied by symptoms of a general disease, make an appointment with a pediatrician or otolaryngologist, only he knows how to help children find health.
Video on the topic
Share with friends
Nice article, you're right! Only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment. We also did not delay and immediately went to the doctor when our daughter brought the virus from kindergarten. The nose was washed, the throat was gargled, and Prospan cough expectorant syrup was used. They were treated on all fronts and are already healthy.
Add a comment Cancel reply
Specialty: Otorhinolaryngologist Work experience: 12 years
Specialty: Otorhinolaryngologist Work experience: 8 years
Source: http://nasmorkam.net/kashel-ot-soplej-u-rebenka/
Severe cough from snot
List of messages in the topic “Severe cough from snot” forum Parents' meeting > Children's health
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 11:46 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: elenchi Status: Corypheus Time: 13:45 Date: March 04, 2007
We also drank chamomile, a spoonful at a time, so that it would drip down the neck.
Author: Mizery Status: User Time: 19:56 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 22:26 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: Mizery Status: User Time: 23:20 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: Ksenia! Status: User Time: 21:09 Date: 04 Mar 2007
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 22:30 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: Ksenia! Status: User Time: 04:27 Date: 05 Mar 2007
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 16:07 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Ksenia! Status: User Time: 17:33 Date: 05 Mar 2007
Author: Feu Status: User Time: 14:50 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Pus Status: Corypheus Time: 09:33 Date: March 07, 2007
Author: Gerzun Status: Experienced user Time: 18:28 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 22:29 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: Urich Status: Advanced user Time: 07:18 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 16:13 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: taNyuSH Status: Corypheus Time: 23:42 Date: March 04, 2007
Author: Tanya 23 Status: User Time: 14:37 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: taNyuSH Status: Corypheus Time: 16:28 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Feu Status: User Time: 14:53 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Masha-Mouse Status: VIP Time: 16:16 Date: March 05, 2007
AND CONSTANTLY blow your nose.
They also advise placing a hot (naturally it feels like) hard-boiled egg on the bridge of your nose. Warm up your nose in this way.
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 20:42 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Masha-Mouse Status: VIP Time: 22:26 Date: March 05, 2007
It's actually a pity. dry heat is a very good thing.
My son is also starting to tear off this bag. My husband even calls it a “backpack” :) He says to me, “Are you going to remember to take off his backpack when you go to bed?” 😀
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 23:52 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Masha-Mouse Status: VIP Time: 00:06 Date: March 06, 2007
Author: magenta Status: VIP Time: 23:15 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Masha-Mouse Status: VIP Time: 23:32 Date: March 05, 2007
Then I tried to immediately heat the rice in the bag in a micro for 30 seconds. I tie it with a piece of gauze on my back - that is, the ties on my chest.
Author: magenta Status: VIP Time: 00:13 Date: March 06, 2007
Author: Masha-Mouse Status: VIP Time: 00:18 Date: March 06, 2007
Author: Daryushka's Mom Status: User Time: 16:52 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Anonymous Status: anonymous user Time: 21:37 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Irsen Status: VIP Time: 23:50 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Masha-Mouse Status: VIP Time: 22:27 Date: March 05, 2007
Author: Daryushka's Mom Status: User Time: 10:11 Date: March 06, 2007
Author: Anyutka's Mom Status: Corypheus Time: 10:58 Date: March 06, 2007
about the project
All rights to materials posted on the site are protected by copyright and related rights legislation and cannot be reproduced or used in any way without the written permission of the copyright holder and placing an active link to the main page of the Eva.Ru portal (www.eva.ru) next to with the materials used.
The editors are not responsible for the content of advertising materials. Certificate of registration of mass media El No. FSot May 22, 2009 v.3.4.168
We are in social networks
Contacts
Our website uses cookies to improve your experience and make the site more efficient. Disabling cookies may cause problems with the site. By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Source: http://eva.ru/static/forums/136/2007_3/899671.html
Causes and treatment of cough from snot in children
Children's cough makes every parent worry. Fathers and mothers immediately perceive this symptom as a pathology of the lower parts of the respiratory system: lungs, bronchi, trachea. However, in about half of the cases the child develops a cough from snot. The methods of treating it are radically different from those recommended for inflammation of the lower respiratory tract.
Cough from snot: how to diagnose?
Parents come to see the pediatrician and report that their child’s snot and cough appeared quite suddenly. At the same time, moms and dads expect the doctor to prescribe treatment for the bronchi. But the doctor examines the child and recommends nasal medications. Concerned parents have a lot of counter questions. How did they determine that there is no inflammation in the lower sections, because the baby is coughing? Is it possible to independently distinguish between different coughs? How to treat it to get rid of the problem faster?
After examining the child and listening with a fanendoscope, a specialist can easily determine the cause of the cough. Everyone is familiar with the condition when snot flows out of the baby’s nose. They become a kind of protective reaction of the body to an irritant: a virus or bacteria. Increased mucus production necessitates its evacuation. But this path does not always lie through the holes in the nose. It happens that snot flows into the nasopharynx. There they irritate the mucous membrane, which provokes a cough.
It is possible to determine that an unpleasant symptom is caused by a runny nose during a classic examination. If the child opens his mouth wide, mucous accumulations and smudges will be visible on the back wall of the larynx. They become a cough provocateur.
In this situation, the baby is especially worried in the evening and at night. Parents are surprised that the little patient feels well during the day, but coughs in his sleep. If a child has a cough without snot and fever, then perhaps we are talking about posterior rhinitis.
First aid for a child
If a child has a cough from snot, how to treat it and how to prevent its recurrence, the doctor will tell you. Parents, meanwhile, are looking for ways to provide first aid to their baby.
An attack of such a cough can be easily stopped with a warm drink. A copious flow of liquid will wash away the mucous secretions flowing down the back wall of the throat and in a short time will make the baby feel better.
- Warm mineral water or regular drinking water with a small amount of soda will have an alkalizing effect on the laryngeal mucosa. Should not be given to children if they have diseases of the digestive tract.
- Warmed milk with the addition of honey and butter will cleanse the larynx and also have a calming effect. Honey will help cope with bacterial plaque.
- Cold fruit juice made from cranberries or lingonberries will soothe a cough and have a disinfecting effect. The increased concentration of vitamin C in this drink will increase the body's resistance.
Focus on a runny nose or cough?
If the symptoms of the disease are fever, cough, and snot in a child, then with a high degree of probability we are talking about a viral infection. Immunomodulatory and antiviral drugs are used to treat it.
For children, preference is given to interferon-based drugs. These drugs do not react with the pathogen, but only increase their own immunity.
You can buy them at a pharmacy without a prescription:
- Viferon, Genferon, Kipferon - suppositories that can be used from birth;
- Cycloferon – tablets for children over 4 years old;
- Leukocyte interferon, Grippferon - nasal agents for young children;
- Kagocel – tablets for patients over 3 years of age.
Less commonly, a posterior runny nose is caused by the proliferation of bacterial flora. In this situation, systemic antibiotics are recommended for treatment of the child: macrolides, penicillins or cephalosporins. These medications should only be used as prescribed by a doctor.
The emphasis in the treatment of cough caused by a runny nose is on the causative agent of the disease. After its elimination, all disturbing symptoms will disappear on their own. Additionally, snot remedies are recommended for the child. Cough medications can also be effective in this situation, but not all.
Action tactics
If the relationship between snot and cough has been established, then to get rid of the latter, the former must be cured. In addition to the main course of drugs aimed at eliminating the pathogen, the child is prescribed symptomatic drugs. During treatment, it is important to ensure a comfortable stay for the little patient. Regular ventilation and maintaining moist, cool air will help you recover faster.
The main point in the treatment of children's runny nose is cleansing the mucous membrane. For this purpose, solutions of sea or ocean water are used: Aquamaris, Rinostop, Dolphin, Aqualor and the like.
You can replace them with saline solution or prepare saline liquid at home. Depending on the age of the child, a different volume of instilled medicine is selected. It is recommended to use preparations based on sea water up to 8 times a day. A few minutes after its insertion, you need to thoroughly clean the spout. If the child does not yet know how to blow his nose on his own, then you need to use an aspirator.
After rinsing, medications are administered into the nasal cavity in individual dosages.
Drugs for the common cold for children may have an antiviral, antibacterial, immunostimulating or antiseptic basis. The choice of medication is made after assessing the baby’s condition and a medical examination.
Antiviral drugs
- An effective medicine to combat viral rhinitis is Grippferon. It is available in the form of drops and spray. Can be used for treatment and prevention. Grippferon is approved for use in children from birth. You can replace it with the drug Nazoferon and Genferon in the form of drops.
- Leukocyte interferon is prescribed to children from 6 months. To use, the powder must be diluted with clean boiled water. The effectiveness of this medicine is higher if used from the first days of illness.
- Derinat in the form of drops can be used in children from the first days of life. This drug has not only an antiviral, but also an immunostimulating effect. The medicine is used intranasally or for inhalation.
- IRS-19 is a nasal immunostimulating spray based on bacterial lysates. It helps the body quickly cope with viral infections without leading to bacterial complications. Prescribed to children from 3 months.
Antibiotics and antiseptics
- The drugs Protargol and Sialor will help eliminate a cough that occurs due to a runny nose. These funds are structural analogues, the only difference is in cost. The nasal drops contain silver ions, which disinfect inflamed mucous membranes. Medicines must be used carefully, strictly following the dosage recommended by the doctor.
- Isofra is a nasal antibiotic in the form of a spray. The medicine is prescribed to children from 6 months, but only for drip administration. The medicine contains a component that effectively eliminates posterior rhinitis of bacterial origin.
- Polydexa is a nasal spray for children over 3 years old. This drug is recommended for purulent snot running down the back of the throat, causing swelling of the tissues. The composition contains several antibacterial substances and a vasoconstrictor component.
- Miramistin is a universal antiseptic that is recommended for children of the first year of life and older. The medicine has an antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal effect. If the causative agent of the runny nose is unknown, then the best option would be to use Miramistin.
Treatment by age
Before you begin treatment for snot that causes coughing, you must carefully read the instructions for use of the selected medications.
Some drugs are contraindicated up to a certain age, others are completely prohibited for children. In the case of vasoconstrictors that relieve congestion and itching, the dosage of the active substance should be taken into account. Also, these nasal agents have a limitation in the duration of use.
For children of the first year of life
Snot and cough in infants are often of physiological origin. During the first months of life, the proper functioning of the nasal mucosa occurs.
Excessive fluid secretion leads to a physiological runny nose. It is manifested by snoring and grunting of the nose.
Mucus flowing down the back wall of the larynx provokes a physiological cough. There is no need to treat this condition, but it is necessary to consult with your doctor to rule out the pathological nature of such a symptom.
To facilitate breathing in the first year of life, moisturizers are actively used: saline solutions. During the period of illness, the child may be prescribed medications approved for use at this age:
Medicines for children from 1 to 3 years old
At the age of 1 to 3 years, children are often bothered by a cough accompanied by snot. This is due to the fact that children begin to attend preschool institutions and actively contact other children.
The spread of viruses from one child to another causes outbreaks of mass infections.
At this age the following is prescribed:
- Isofr and Sialor to combat bacterial rhinitis;
- Aqualor, Aquamaris and other saline solutions for moisturizing the mucous membrane;
- Leukocyte interferon in dry form, Grippferon spray for the treatment and prevention of colds;
- Vibrocil, Snoop, Tizin to relieve swelling.
Children over 3 years old
After 3 years, the list of permitted medications expands significantly. At this age, you can use everything that was prescribed earlier.
- For a runny nose with the formation of purulent secretion, Polydex is used. The double effect of this remedy allows you to refuse the additional use of vasoconstrictor compounds, the list of which is also growing: Naphthyzin, Sanorin, For the nose, Otrivin.
- For runny nose and cough of allergic origin in children over 3 years of age, glucocorticoids, for example, Avamis, can be used.
- Doctor Mom is a herbal preparation for children of this age group. It is available in the form of ointment, suspension and lozenges. Doctor Mom lozenges relieve coughs and relieve inflammation in the nasopharynx, and the ointment facilitates nasal breathing.
- For a prolonged runny nose with the formation of viscous mucus, use Rinofluimucil, a medicine based on two active ingredients. One of them thins thick snot, and the other relieves swelling.
- For a cough caused by a runny nose, the doctor may prescribe syrup to the child. Herbion, a herbal preparation, shows a good effect. For thick snot, ACC is recommended - powder and effervescent tablets for children over 2 years old.
If the treatment does not bring positive results within a week, you need to contact your doctor again.
Related materials:
Yulia Astafieva
Head of the otolaryngology department, candidate of medical sciences, ENT doctor of the highest category.
And we had a cough and a runny nose, the pediatrician said it was a virus. He did not prescribe antibiotics. Only Prospan syrup for cough and drink warm mineral salt water more often. The runny nose went away gradually, and the cough went away within five days.
Add a comment Cancel reply
search by symptoms
Children's cough
Find out more
Excessive mucus formation in the nose, congestion and sneezing are the main symptoms of a runny nose. In children of the first years of life it occurs [...]
Parents always wait for their baby’s first teeth with special impatience and trepidation, but along with joyful sensations, this long-awaited event brings […]
Posterior rhinitis or nasopharyngitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the posterior sections of the nasal cavity and pharynx. Characterized by the discharge of nasal mucus [...]
Various water-salt solutions are used to prevent and treat runny nose. Pediatricians often recommend rinsing a child’s nose with saline, but what is the benefit […]
One of the most common problems in children of younger age groups is difficulty breathing through the nose. This phenomenon is caused by thick mucous membranes […]
New on the site
Cough in medical science and practice can be defined as a natural, normal reaction of the human body to penetration into the lower respiratory […]
Cough in medical practice is defined as a reflex contraction of the smooth muscles of the lower respiratory tract in order to get rid of a foreign object that has entered […]
Sputum, according to standard medical calculations, is defined as a mucous or mucopurulent exudate produced by special cells of the epithelium of the lower respiratory tract (ciliated epithelium). […]
All materials on this website, including medical reports and any other health-related information, are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any particular situation. Use of this site and the information contained on it does not constitute a call to action. Always seek the direct advice of your health care provider with any questions you may have regarding your own health or the health of others. Do not self-medicate.