Dear Parent,

Thank you for your consult at DoctorSpring.com. I understand your concerns.

The description that you have provided is suggestive of a viral illness. But, certain clarifications are needed:
1. Your child had on and off fever for 2 days? For how long is the baby without fever now?
2. Did you use any drugs/ antibiotics during the acute febrile phase?
3. Is the cough accompanied by rapid or noisy breathing?
4. Is there any abdominal pain or distension?
5. Is there ant blood or mucus in the baby's stools?
6. Is the baby passing urine adequately?
7. How is the baby's general well being? Has he become dull or lethargic?

Kindly clarify these points so that I can guide you further.
Wishing your child a speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr. Saptharishi L G

Dear Parent,
Thank you for the clarifications.
It appears that your child had a self-limiting viral illness last week. Any acute viral illness can alter the gut flora that normally break down the bile pigments in the stool and provide its normal yellowish colour. Many times, after an acute gastrointestinal illness or a systemic illness, there are changes in the gut flora, either due to the infection per se or the drugs used. This can lead to abnormal coloured stools in the recovery phase. Gradually as the child resumes normal diet, these stools return to normal.

However, in another set of illnesses, known as the viral hepatitis, a child can have fever and prodrome. Subsequently, child may become afebrile, develop poor feeding and then jaundice (yellowish discolouration of skin, urine and eyes). These children also may have pale coloured stools. If your child has jaundice, then it would be better to see a pediatrician in your locality for evaluation and appropriate guidance. You need to carefully watch for appearance of jaundice. If there is none and the child's appetite improves, then there would be no need to worry.

Hope that my response has helped clear your doubts. Wishing your child a speedy recovery.
Take care

Regards
Dr. Saptharishi L G