Dear Dr. Donya,

It was quite a while ago that I wrote to you with regards to my son Darren. We are now quite adjusted here in Bali but I am still afraid of the local diagnosis of Darren's symptoms.

Darren just turned one in April and ever since we moved here from Singapore he has been in and out of the local clinic.

Approximately every two weeks he goes to the clinic for a runny nose and a cough with phlegm (we can hear it in his breathing). He has no fever and otherwise appears perfectly well.

Local doctors give him antibiotics every time we pay them a visit. I was wondering could it be an allergic reaction to something? We have been cutting down on things like eggs and fish for two weeks at a time but the symptoms still persist.

Please do let me know what you think.

-- Paul

Dear Paul,

Darren has turned one and still has a runny nose with a lot of secretion; sounds like he is prone to respiratory infection or has an allergy. Did the doctor ever mention that Darren has wheezing? How is his growth? Weight and height? Are there certain times the symptoms get worse? Is there any relation between season and symptoms? Does daytime or nighttime trigger the symptoms?

He may have allergic rhinitis. You should have him checked for allergy problems. Nursery or school-aged children often catch infections, but it is quite unusual in a one-year-old like Darren. I recommend seeing a pediatric allergist, who may have a better answer.

-- Dr. Donya