Q: My eight-years-old nephew has been suffering from a long-lasting cough (for about a month now). After treating him with antibiotics, doctors have prescribed him Omnacortil 5 mgs, spaced in 3 weeks, thrice, twice and once respectively. His eosinophils count is 11% and the absolute eosinophils count is 800. Doctors say he is allergic and hence this treatment. But he continues to cough for the last 4 days even after these steroids have been started. His diagnosis says it is throat hyperaemic. We continue to give him cough suppressants when the cough is severe. But nothing is working. He has been coughing the same way, even after all these, as he was coughing on he first day. It would be very nice of you if you could inform us whether the above-mentioned line treatment is correct for my nephew.

A:From the description, it is possible that your nephew has bronchospasm (wheezing) which could explain why he is not responding to the current medication. I would suggest that you should consult a good Paediatrician or Paediatric Chest Physician, who will be able to guide you after a full examination.