Q: My 8 years old daughter had vascular septal defect (VSD) at birth, which was closed when she was 6 months old. Her weight is 25 kg. She is taking Immunex to build up immunity against fever, cough and cold, which she was suffering from. Now she is having sneezing and a stuffy nose off and on , especially in the mornings (though no running nose or cough). We give her Alerid for this. Is there any harm in giving Alerid? What else could be done for her? Please advise.

A:I don't think Immunex has any definitive effect on improving child’s immunity. She has allergic rhinitis and if it is persistent, nasal spray used for this purpose may help. If you have to use alerid intermittently for few days, it possibly would not harm her.