Peer Responses:
Length: A minimum of 275 words per post, not including references
Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA per post from within the last 5 years
In this case, the most likely diagnosis is Asthma. The 5-year-old child has been having wheezes and coughing when sick, which are acute asthmatic attacks. The combination of coughing, wheezing, and ear pain suggests a respiratory infection due to Asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. One differential diagnosis may be asthma exacerbation, which is a common respiratory condition in children that can cause coughing and wheezing (Chen et al., 2020). The child’s history of similar symptoms when sick also suggests Asthma. The mainstay of asthma treatment is inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Bronchodilators help to relax the airway muscles, making breathing more manageable, while corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in the airways, which can help prevent future asthma attacks (World Health Organization, 2020).
Acute bronchitis is a possible alternate diagnosis. This is another respiratory disorder that can cause coughing and wheezing but is often brought on by a viral infection rather than a chronic inflammatory condition like Asthma, according to Bhimrai et al. (2020). As viral infections frequently cause acute bronchitis, therapy mainly focuses on symptom management (Arabi et al., 2020). Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are two over-the-counter drugs that can help lower temperature and ease pain. To relieve coughing, cough suppressants may also be advised (Chen et al., 2020).
Pneumonia may also be a suspect. It is a bacterial or viral infection of the lungs that can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath (Arabi et al., 2020). It is more commonly seen in adults but can also occur in children. Treatment for pneumonia usually involves antibiotics to target the specific bacteria or virus causing the infection (Chen et al., 2020). Sometimes, hospitalization may be necessary to administer intravenous antibiotics and provide oxygen support (Arabi et al., 2020).
Furthermore, acute otitis media may be suspected. This is an infection of the middle ear that can cause ear pain and fever. It is common in young children prone to upper respiratory infections (Arabi et al., 2020). Antibiotics are typically prescribed for acute otitis media to clear the infection and prevent further complications (World Health Organization, 2020). Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may also be recommended to alleviate discomfort.
Finally, atopic dermatitis could be a suspect. Dry, scaly skin areas result from this persistent skin problem. Children with a history of allergies or Asthma are at greater risk for developing the condition (Bhimrai et al., 2020). To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible reasons for the child’s symptoms, he or she must undergo a comprehensive evaluation and diagnostic tests. Treatment for atopic dermatitis typically involves topical corticosteroids or immuno modulators to reduce inflammation and relieve itching. Moisturizers and emollients may also be recommended to prevent dryness and irritation of the skin.
References
Arabi, Y. M., Fowler, R., & Hayden, F. G. (2020). Critical care management of adults with community-acquired severe respiratory viral infection. Intensive Care Medicine, 46(2), 315â328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-05943-5
Chen, Z.-M., Fu, J.-F., Shu, Q., Chen, Y.-H., Hua, C.-Z., Li, F.-B., Lin, R., Tang, L.-F., Wang, T.-L., Wang, W., Wang, Y.-S., Xu, W.-Z., Yang, Z.-H., Ye, S., Yuan, T.-M., Zhang, C.-M., & Zhang, Y.-Y. (2020). Diagnosis and treatment recommendations for pediatric respiratory infection caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. World Journal of Pediatrics, 16(3), 240â246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-020-00345-5
Infectious diseases society of america guidelines on the treatment and management of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19). (n.d.). OUP Academic. https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa478/5825667
World Health Organization. (2020). Severe acute respiratory infections treatment centre:
practical manual to set up and manage a SARI treatment centre and a SARI screening facility in health care facilities (No. WHO/2019-nCoV/SARI_treatment_center/2020.1). World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331603/WHO-2019-nCoV-SARI_treatment_center-2020.1-rus.pdf
Peer Responses: Length: A minimum of 275 words per post, not including reference
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