Q: My 2-year-old grandson suffers from cold quite often. Last month, he also had an ear infection accompanied with cough and fever. The doctor prescribed Augmentin for seven days. Though he recovered at that time, he has got mild cough and cold again. We gave him 5 ml of brandy and he is improving now. Is it safe to give him brandy at this young age?

A:It is not uncommon at this age to get recurrent allergic cough and colds. Usually they are self limiting and don't need any antibiotics. Please don't give Brandy to such a small child, it does not help and may be harmful.