As an expert in the treatment of cough problems, I would try to receive more detailed information about the issue of the seven years old patient. It is unclear what could be the initial cause of the problem as the child could catch SARS from school or catch a cold by spending time outside without a proper warm cloth. Moreover, I would try to understand how the mother was trying to cope with the problem to exclude the possibility of side effects from self-medication.
The causes of the cough might be diverse, and it is important to take different tests to understand the reason. I would consider taking the COVID-19 test as this virus spreads quickly, and the symptoms may be diverse. Moreover, I would consider making a sputum culture test as bronchitis may be similar to tuberculosis (Parker, 2019). Additional tests can help to stay sure in the final diagnosis.
My diagnosis for this patient is chronic bronchitis which achieves its peak during the sharp change in whether the human body is not prepared for cold seasons. The differential diagnoses can be made as it is vital to observe the patient’s health history and see the cough’s dynamics. The alternative diagnosis could be COVID-19 infection or respiratory disease such as sinusitis.
The symptoms described by the child’s mother look like typical bronchitis, which should be under specialists’ control and treated with specific medications. A long-lasting cough followed by wheezing means the problem stays deep inside the lungs.
The effect of bronchitis on the child is not terrible, and the problem can be treated without antibiotics. However, there should be strict control over the child to ensure that the boy consumes medications on time. One of the effective strategies for treating the health issue is a bronchodilator which opens the air’s access to the lungs.
Even though the mother is not happy about the fact that antibiotics will not be prescribed, it is essential to explain that some types of tables from this group might harm the health of the child, and before providing antibiotics, alternative types of treatment should be applied to ensure that stability of the immune system.
Reference
Parker, R. A. (2019). Implications of Tuberculosis sputum culture test sensitivity on accuracy of other diagnostic modalities. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 199(5). Web.