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Child coughing, fever since two days
My brother got hospitalized in hospital due to medical issue,in that ward 2 patient were infected with TB,ward was big,me with my son went there to meet my brother irrespective we don't know about TB patients,but ward boy told me about that and we left with in 5 minutes,this happened about 4 days ago,so is this possible the coughing which my child suffering since 2 days is there something suspicious.? We are doing his treatment with cough and cold medicine as well as with antibiotics since Yesterday evening...I am nervous
Answers (21)
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Dont be nervous …TB is not that much infectious like covid by just visiting for 5mins you will get infected.
as hospital area is infectious it is common for children to get infected with some common viral infections which cause symptoms like cough and fever for 2 to3 days..
if the fever persistent for more than 2days and cough for more than a week then consult a paediatrician near by and evaluate..
Next Steps
Keep the child hydrated and calorie rich diet
Health Tips
When ever you take a child to hospital make them to wear a mask and enter to the area.
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Need some more details kindly consult
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The child experiencing the cough may not be related to tuberculosis,as its too short term to show symptoms after the transmission.However if you are concerned, consult a pediatrician in your area
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It would be better to consult pediatrician go for further evalution.
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U never know. Consult superspecialist like paediatric
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Risk is there
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Don’t worry. TB does not spread so quickly with such brief exposure, especially just visiting for a few minutes. Also, symptoms appearing within 2 days are more likely due to a common viral infection, not TB.
For now, ensure fluids and rest.
If fever persists beyond 3 days or cough continues for more than 2 weeks, then evaluation is needed.
Overall, this does not look like TB.
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Most probably it might be normal hospital acquired infection no need to worry
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One tine exposure, may or may not have infected him, depending on load of germs inhaled and his immunity.
Get cbp with esr, x ray chest, sputum done for him and share results.
Give him steam to inhale, hot saline gargles, if possible .
Continue the meds and contact me if symptoms persist after finishing the course.
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Its too earlier.better if you go for evaluation in nearby hospital.
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I understand your concern, but based on what you’ve described, this is very unlikely to be TB.
TB usually requires prolonged close exposure (weeks to months) to an infected person. A brief 5-minute visit in a large ward carries very minimal risk, especially if there was no direct close contact.
Also, TB symptoms do not appear within 2–4 days. It typically takes weeks to months to develop symptoms.
Your child’s current symptoms (cough + fever for 2 days) are much more suggestive of a common viral infection or seasonal respiratory illness, which is very common in children.
Next Steps
-Continue symptomatic treatment (as advised by your doctor)
-Ensure adequate fluids, rest, and light diet
-Monitor fever and cough
-If symptoms persist beyond 5–7 days, or worsen, consult a pediatrician
Health Tips
-Avoid unnecessary panic about TB in this situation
-Antibiotics are not always required for viral infections (follow your doctor’s advice)
-Watch for warning signs:
°Persistent fever >5 days
°Difficulty breathing
°Poor feeding or lethargy
At present, this looks like a routine infection, not TB. Your child should recover with basic care.
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No I think you should not worry
Next Steps
It’s too early that tb came
Health Tips
Use broad spectrum antibiotics and book online consultation for prescription
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"I understand your concern, but it is clinically impossible for your child to develop symptoms of Tuberculosis (TB) just 4 days after a brief 5-minute exposure. Tuberculosis is a slow-growing bacterial infection; the incubation period (the time from exposure to the onset of symptoms) usually ranges from several weeks to months, not days. The current cough and fever since the last two days are almost certainly due to a common viral or bacterial Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI), which your child likely contracted elsewhere or from the general hospital environment."
Next Steps
"1. Short Duration of Exposure: TB usually requires prolonged, close contact in an enclosed space with an infectious patient. A 5-minute visit in a large ward carries an extremely low risk of transmission.
2. Delayed Symptoms: TB symptoms like persistent cough, night sweats, and weight loss do not appear within 48-96 hours of exposure.
3. Common Illness: Children are very prone to seasonal viral infections, which present exactly like what your son is experiencing now (sudden onset cough and fever)."
Health Tips
"1. Treat the Current Infection: Continue the symptomatic treatment (cough syrup and fever medication) as advised. Since he is already on antibiotics, complete the full course.
2. Observation: Monitor his fever. If it resolves in 3-5 days and the cough improves, it confirms this was a regular infection.
3. Pediatrician Review: If the fever stays very high (above 102°F) or he has difficulty breathing, consult a pediatrician to rule out acute pneumonia.
4. TB Screening (Optional): Just for your peace of mind, you can discuss a Mantoux test or a chest X-ray with your doctor, but only after 6-8 weeks, as testing right now will not show anything related to that hospital visit."
"Avoid taking young children to hospital wards unless absolutely necessary, as their immune systems are still developing.
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Yes your child could have been exposed to TB but the cough doesn't appear immediately.
It would be better if you consult a paediatrician regarding that.
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Nazia Begum M.G
General Physician
15 yrs exp
Belgaum
It could be common flu
Give proper medicine consulting paediatrician
Do not panic
Consult online
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Kindly do connect and consult
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Pallavi Rai
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Ghazipur
A 5-minute exposure in a ward does not cause TB, and symptoms starting in 2 days cannot be TB. TB usually needs long exposure
Your child’s cough starting after 2 days fits much better with a common Upper respiratory tract infection.
Next Steps
✔️ What you can do now
* Plenty of fluids (warm water, soups)
* Steam inhalation (if child is old enough)
* Saline nasal drops if blocked nose
* Paracetamol if fever
Health Tips
The real concern is how the child behaves:
* Active vs lethargic
* Eating well vs refusing feeds
* Comfortable breathing vs struggling
Don’t ignore warning signs:
* Fast or difficult breathing
* High fever lasting >3 days
* Persistent cough beyond 2 weeks
* Bluish lips / chest indrawing
Stay observant, keep treatment simple, and escalate only if red flags appear.
Right now, nothing you’ve described points toward anything serious like TB.
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