As always, the first job is to try to figure out what is going on. Albuterol and Flovent are for kids who are wheezing. If she is wheezing, then they might help. But that's not something you can decide on your own, someone with experience needs to listen to her chest.

Is she not wheezing, but just has a prolonged viral infection? That means frankly that there is no great treatment other than time. She could have a post nasal drip that is causing the coughing, in which case it still could just be a virus, or even a bacterial infection of her sinuses or adenoids.

So, it's a complicated question with no simple answer, and I wanted you to see why that is. If she doesn't get better or seems in more respiratory distress or gets a fever, etc., there's no substitute for a careful evaluation by her pediatrician to figure out what to do next.

Steven Parker, MD, is director of behavioral and developmental pediatrics at Boston Medical Center and an associate professor of pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine.

The opinions expressed herein are the guest's alone and have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician. If you have a question about your health, you should consult your personal physician. This event is meant for informational purposes only.

Originally published Oct. 7, 2002.