Q: My 13 months old daughter weighs just 7.1 kg. She often gets cold and cough. Her ESR count is 58. Is it harmful? What should we do?

A:The raised ESR is reflection of ongoing disease. Children who have frequent coughs and colds can have a raised ESR. During a period when they remain well the ESR usually comes down to normal. So, please recheck the ESR when she has been well for 10-15 days and see if it has decreased. If it is still higher, please see your doctor.