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My son is 4yrs old and he has a fever, and a cough.
Sent to Health Experts April 19 11:59 AM

My son is 4yrs old and he has a fever, and a cough. But he is having difficulty breathing, and his chest seems to sink in when he breathes. This has been since yesterday. His pediatrician just wants to give him albuterol, but I am afraid what this will do if he doesn't have asthma. I have been told that taking albuterol when you don't have asthma can bring on asthma. Is this true? And is that the best medicine for my son right now?

 

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Male , Age: 4

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cough medicine

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Status:  Closed   Value: $200
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April 19 12:08 PM (8 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
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Albuterol is a bronchodilator. It works to open up the airways and let more air (and oxygen) get into the body. Short term use for severe coughs and breathing difficulties is absolutely fine and will not bring on asthma. The main side effect if used too frequently is a tremor of the hands.

I see no reason not to use it, and as it opens up th airways will really help his breathing. I would advice that you do not use cough supressants in this situation as they thicken mucus and make it hard for body to cough up. Expectorants containing guiphenisen are to be preferred. Plenty of water to drink too.Also steam inhalations. Stick to tylenol for fever as ibuprofen can induce wheeziness in some individuals.

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