Understanding Cough in Children

Understanding Cough in Children

Understanding Cough in Children

Cough in children can be a cause of concern for many parents. It is usually a sign that your child’s body is trying to get rid of an irritant. The most common cause of cough is respiratory tract infection, such as cold.

Cough in children can be broadly divided into — productive and non-productive. Productive coughs bring up mucus from the chest and can sound irritated, harsh, barking, or whooping. On the other hand, non-productive coughs do not bring up any mucus and can be caused by irritation in the airways.

What are the different kinds of cough?

Getting yourself familiar with various kinds of cough prevalent in children, you can get a better idea on how to handle them. Keep reading to know more:

Cough with wheezing: If your child makes a wheezing sound while breathing it may signal that their lower airways in the lungs are infected. It can also mean your child has Bronchiolitis, a common viral chest infection in children under 12 months of age. It can start like a cold or flu, but the cough persists and gets worse with coughing spasms which can last weeks. It is often serious in babies which is why vaccination is so important.

Croup: It is a viral illness that causes inflammation in the larynx and trachea, can cause a barking cough in kids. It is usually accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, and poor appetite. Treatment includes saline nose drops, a cool-mist humidifier, and over-the-counter cold medicine made just for children (but consult with a pharmacist or pediatrician first).

Whooping cough: It is an infection of the airways caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Kids with pertussis will have spells of back-to-back coughs without breathing in between. At the end of the coughing, they’ll take a deep breath in that makes a “whooping” sound. Other symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and a low-grade fever.

Coughs with fever: Coughs with a fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher can sometimes be due to pneumonia, especially if a child is weak and breathing fast. In this case, call your doctor right away.

Lasting coughs:  Coughs caused by colds due to viruses can last weeks, especially if a child has one cold right after another. Asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or airways also might cause lasting coughs. If your child still has a cough after 3 weeks, call your doctor.

When to see a doctor

It is important to seek medical attention if your child experiences wheezing (a high-pitched purring or whistling sound when breathing out), has trouble breathing, complains of pain after coughing, or if their lips or face have turned bluish during coughing. Other signs that warrant a visit to the doctor include retractions (when the ribs are pulling in with each breath) and a temperature above 38.5 Celsius.

If your child’s cough is a concern for you, it’s important that you consult our pediatrician for the best guidance. Get in touch with us and book your appointment as soon as possible.