A 5-year-old with clear rhinorrhea and pale, boggy nasal mucosa is treated with which therapy?

A 5-year-old with clear rhinorrhea and pale, boggy nasal mucosa is treated with which therapy?

• A. Amoxicillin
• B. Loratidine
• C. Erythromycin
• D. Fexofenadine

Answer: (B)

Allergic rhinitis presents with clear rhinorrhea and pale, boggy nasal mucosa, indicating histamine-driven inflammation of the nasal passages. The best therapy targets blocking histamine’s effects rather than fighting infection. A non-sedating oral antihistamine is ideal for a 5-year-old because it reduces sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and congestion without causing significant drowsiness. Loratadine fits this role well, offering effective symptom relief with a favorable safety profile in children. Antibiotics would not treat allergic rhinitis, as there is no bacterial infection to target. (A similar alternative is fexofenadine, another non-sedating antihistamine.)

Allergic rhinitis presents with clear rhinorrhea and pale, boggy nasal mucosa, indicating histamine-driven inflammation of the nasal passages. The best therapy targets blocking histamine’s effects rather than fighting infection. A non-sedating oral antihistamine is ideal for a 5-year-old because it reduces sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and congestion without causing significant drowsiness. Loratadine fits this role well, offering effective symptom relief with a favorable safety profile in children. Antibiotics would not treat allergic rhinitis, as there is no bacterial infection to target. (A similar alternative is fexofenadine, another non-sedating antihistamine.)