What is a cough
- The sound made when the cough reflex suddenly forces air and secretions from the lungs
- A coughing spasm is over 5 minutes of continuous uncontrollable coughing.
Causes of cough
- Common Cold: Most coughs are part of a cold that includes the lower airway. The medical name is viral bronchitis. The bronchi are the lower part of the airway that go to the lungs. Bronchitis in children is always caused by a virus. This includes cold viruses, influenza, and croup. Bacteria do not cause bronchitis in healthy children.
- Sinus Infection: The exact mechanism of the cough is unknown. It may be that postnasal drip irritates the lower throat. Or pressure within the sinus may trigger the cough reflex
- Allergic Cough: Some children get a cough from breathing in an allergic substance. Examples are pollen or cat dander. Allergic coughs can be controlled with allergy medicines, such as Benadryl
- Air Pollution Cough: Fumes of any kind can irritate the airway and cause a cough. Tobacco smoke is the most common example. Others are auto exhaust, smog, and paint fumes
- Exercise-Induced Cough: Running will make most coughs worse. If the air is cold or polluted, coughing is even more likely.
- Serious Causes: Pneumonia, bronchiolitis, whooping cough, and airway foreign object.
Trouble breathing: Signs to look for
Trouble breathing is a reason to see a doctor right away. Here are symptoms to look for:
- Struggling for each breath or shortness of breath.
- Tight breathing so that your child can barely speak or cry.
- Ribs are pulling in with each breath.
- Breathing has become noisy (such as wheezing)
- Lips or face turn a blue color.
Sputum or phlegm? What is normal
- yellow or green phlegm is a normal part of the healing process of viral bronchitis.
- This means the lining of the trachea (windpipe) was damaged by the viral infection and is being coughed up as new mucosa replaces it.
- Bacteria do not cause bronchitis in healthy children. Purulent sputum is a poor predictor for bacterial superinfection. Antibiotics are not indicated for the yellow or green phlegm seen with colds.
Home care advice
Homemade Cough Medicine:
- Age 3 months to 1 year: Give warm clear fluids (e.g., apple juice or lemonade) to thin the mucus and relax the airway. Dosage: 1-3 teaspoons (5-15 mL) 4 times a day. Avoid honey in the age group.
- Age 1 year and older: Use honey 1/2 to 1 tsp (2-5 mL) as needed as a homemade cough medicine. It can thin secretions and loosen the cough.
- Age 6 years and older: Use cough drops to decrease the tickle in the throat.
Coughing Fits or Spells:
- Breathe warm mist (such as with a shower running in a closed bathroom)
- Give warm clear fluids to drink e.g., apple juice or lemonade, Don't use warm fluids before 3 months of age.
- If air is dry , use a humidifier
- Encourage your child to drink adequate fluids to prevent dehydration. This will also thin out the nasal secretions and loosen the phlegm in the airway.
When to contact the office
- Difficulty breathing occurs.
- Wheezing occurs.
- Cough lasts over 3 weeks.
- Your child becomes worse.