Common causes of coughs in babies and children:

• Common cold
• Flu
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Respiratory infections
• Sinus infections

Types of coughs in babies and children:

1. Dry cough
2. Wet or productive cough
3. Barking cough (croup)
4. Whooping cough
5. Asthma-related cough

It is important to monitor your child’s cough and seek medical advice if it persists, is accompanied by difficulty breathing, chest pain, or if your child is running a high fever. Always consult a healthcare professional before giving any medications to your child.

What is a Cough?

A cough is a natural reflex that helps clear mucus and irritants from the airways, often triggered by a cold or flu, and is typically not a serious issue.

However, a persistent or severe cough could be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as asthma, bronchitis, or even pneumonia. In such cases, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

There are different types of coughs, including dry coughs, productive coughs (which bring up phlegm), and croup coughs (common in children). The treatment for a cough will vary depending on the underlying cause, but common remedies include over-the-counter cough medications, humidifiers, and staying hydrated.

If a cough is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, or coughing up blood, it is important to seek medical attention immediately as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.

Common Causes of Coughs

Causes of coughs include various factors such as the common cold, flu, allergens, pneumonia, bronchitis, pollution, asthma, croup, chest infection, and exposure to second-hand smoke.

Some other less common causes of coughs may include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), postnasal drip, throat infections, lung cancer, and certain medications.

Types of Coughs in Babies and Children

Coughs in babies and children can be different, with types like dry coughs (without phlegm) and chesty coughs (with phlegm), each associated with different underlying reasons.

Outliers

In babies and children, less common causes of coughs can include barking coughs (Croup) and asthma triggered by various factors.

How to ease coughing in babies and children

How can you help your child if they are coughing?

• Ensure your child stays hydrated and consider giving warm water with lemon and honey for cough relief if they are over 1 year old.
• Consult a doctor before administering any cough medication to children.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room to help relieve coughing.
• Elevate your child’s head while they sleep to help reduce coughing at night.
• Avoid exposing your child to smoke or other irritants that can aggravate their cough.
• If your child’s cough persists or worsens, seek medical attention promptly.

When to see a GP and what signs are medical emergency

If asthma is suspected, the cough lasts for more than three weeks, or if other concerning symptoms are present, seeking medical advice is recommended. Immediate medical attention is necessary for high fever, breathing difficulties, or persistent cough.

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HELP & SUPPORT

For health advice, consult your doctor or pharmacist. There are various medications available for pain relief, reducing fever, and alleviating cough symptoms.

Seven questions about coughing with a pediatric pulmonologist.

Health experts define a chronic cough as lasting more than four weeks, often linked to viral infections common during the cold season.

What is a chronic cough?

Chronic cough can be a sign of asthma or other underlying conditions, influenced by different factors that contribute to the persistence of the cough.

Some common causes of chronic cough include:

• Postnasal drip
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Smoking

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional if you have a chronic cough that lasts for more than eight weeks, as it could be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.

What causes chronic cough in kids?

In children, chronic cough may be caused by certain conditions like bacterial bronchitis, aspiration, reflux, ciliary dyskinesia, and cystic fibrosis.

Why doesn’t cough medicine help a chronic cough?

Viruses are the primary cause of coughs in children, with no specific medications proven to be effective. It’s essential to identify the root cause of the cough for appropriate treatment, such as using an inhaler for asthma. Various treatment options are available based on the cause of the cough.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If your child’s persistent cough lasts more than four weeks or is accompanied by wheezing, breathing difficulties, or exercise intolerance, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider.

Identifying Underlying Causes

A thorough history and physical examination are crucial in evaluating a cough. Symptoms like a family history of asthma, personal history of eczema or allergies, dry cough, nighttime coughing, wheezing, or response to steroids may indicate asthma-related cough. Other symptoms may point to alternative diagnoses.

It is also important to consider environmental factors such as exposure to smoke, pollution, or occupational hazards, as these can contribute to chronic cough. In addition, underlying medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), post-nasal drip, or chronic bronchitis should be ruled out through appropriate testing.

Furthermore, medications such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers can sometimes cause cough as a side effect, so a review of the patient’s current medication list is essential in diagnosing the cause of the cough.

Supportive Care and Home Remedies

To aid recovery, ensure your child stays hydrated, gets enough rest, consider honey (for children over one year old), and refrain from using cough suppressants.

If your child experiences a persistent cough, breathing difficulties, fever, or any other worrying symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

Understanding Whooping Cough

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a severe bacterial lung infection that can cause intense coughing fits and breathing issues in young children.

It is highly contagious and can be spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms usually start out similar to a cold, with a runny nose, sneezing, and a mild cough, but can progress to severe coughing fits that end with a “whooping” sound as the person gasps for air.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough, and routine childhood vaccines include a pertussis component. However, immunity can weaken over time, so adults and adolescents are also recommended to receive booster shots to protect themselves and prevent spreading the infection to vulnerable populations.

If you suspect that you or your child has whooping cough, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Treatment may include antibiotics to help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, as well as supportive care to help manage coughing episodes and improve breathing.

Treatment and Prevention

Early treatment with antibiotics is essential if whooping cough is suspected, and vaccination is recommended to prevent the disease.

In addition to antibiotics, supportive care such as rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and using a humidifier can help manage symptoms of whooping cough. It is important to seek medical attention promptly if you suspect you or your child may have whooping cough.

Prevention of whooping cough is primarily through vaccination. The DTaP vaccine is routinely given to children in a series of doses to protect against whooping cough, along with diphtheria and tetanus. Adults may also receive the Tdap vaccine to boost immunity against these diseases.

It is important for individuals to stay up to date on their vaccinations to protect themselves and others from whooping cough. Maintaining good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with people who are sick can also help prevent the spread of the disease.

Different Types of Coughs

Coughs can be either wet or dry, indicating different issues in the airways. Recognizing the type of cough and associated symptoms is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment.

Seeking Medical Attention

Certain types of coughs, such as stridor cough, wheezing cough, or cough following choking, require medical evaluation, especially if breathing difficulties are present. Difficulty breathing should always be taken seriously, and prompt medical attention is necessary. If a child has a foreign object in their lungs, it needs to be inspected and removed by a medical professional.

A wet cough during winter is usually due to a viral infection or exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke. Keeping an eye on fever and breathing rates is crucial, especially during sleep. Seeking medical advice is recommended to determine the cause and appropriate steps to take.

To relieve a child’s cough at home, focus on hydration, good nutrition, and proper rest. Avoid giving OTC cough and cold medications to young children. Home remedies like honey can help soothe a sore throat and calm a cough. Using a humidifier can also aid in reducing airway irritation, but regular cleaning is essential to prevent infections. If symptoms cause discomfort or disrupt sleep, consult a healthcare provider for guidance.