Irritating, present among the first symptoms of respiratory infections (but also in other conditions) and often the last to disappear, a cough can be tiring for a child and worrying for a parent. But this is not a disease, but a symptom, a sign that the body is responding well. However, there are types of cough that indicate more complex diseases that require appropriate treatment. Let’s detail them.

After fever, a symptom that signals the presence of an infection in the body, cough ranks second on the list of reasons for which parents run with their little ones to the emergency room. But coughing is just a healthy reflex to clear the airways. Which, yes, appears in the early stages of a respiratory infection, and yes, it is difficult to go away, because even when the nose stops running, the secretions in the respiratory tract are still present. Therefore, treatment received from a doctor for respiratory infections must be followed until the last day.

It is indicated and not recommended for cough in a child

A child’s cough can easily become a cause for concern for parents. Especially when it lasts for a long time (more than a week or two) or interferes with the life of the family or the sleep of the whole family. Apart from these inconveniences, coughs are not serious in most cases. This is one of the most common symptoms of colds and other viruses, including the flu. But if it’s caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t stop it. Viral infections should pass. And coughing helps the child remove mucus from the respiratory tract.

Although there are medicines that can stop coughing, so-called antitussives, which can be bought without a prescription, doctors warn us that they only suppress the cough reflex. Thus, by giving the child these antitussives without the recommendation of a specialist, you stop the reflex movement, which actually helps the child to expel excess secretions. You will not eliminate the cause, which is the discharge that is causing him to cough.

The best thing you can do is to give your baby plenty of warm liquids (breast milk or baby formula), honey (for babies over 1 year old). Warm steam inhalations also work very well (20 minutes in a steam bath). You can help him rest at night by instilling saline drops to relieve nasal congestion and by using a humidifier in the baby’s room. An antibiotic does not help with a cough, especially if the cough occurs against the background of a viral infection.

How many types of cough are there and when you need to see a doctor when a child coughs

As a rule, a cough without other symptoms is not a cause for concern. In the cold season (autumn, winter), the child may catch a cold several times, and the cough appears every time. An acute cough lasts about two weeks and goes away on its own. It is important to know that there are different types of cough, and most of them are not a sign of a serious problem. Here’s how to tell them apart:

Dry/nonproductive cough

A dry cough does not produce (and therefore is not productive) much mucus and often accompanies a viral respiratory infection such as a cold or flu. A cough with a sore throat, headache and runny nose without a fever is most likely just a sign of a cold that needs to be passed. These infections can last for several weeks. A dry cough can also be a sign of allergies, but allergies do not cause fever, muscle aches, or fatigue.

Wet/productive cough

A wet cough is a cough that originates in the chest and often produces white, yellow, or green mucus or sputum. This may or may not be a sign of a bacterial infection. A persistent wet cough can lead to a serious chest infection. Therefore, if the child has a wet cough, it is best to call a pediatrician. If the cough is caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If the cough is caused by a virus, the child will need rest and fluids while the illness progresses.

Barking cough

If your child’s cough sounds like a hoarse bark, he probably has croup. Croup is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that usually occurs in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, although older children can also be affected. Basically, this is laryngitis or laryngo-tracheo-bronchitis. When air passes between the vocal cords, this passage narrows, and it will be difficult for the child to breathe. Breathing will be whistling, and coughing will resemble barking. The voice will be sharp and hoarse, especially when the child is crying.

Croup usually starts with cold symptoms, and the cough appears suddenly. Most children with croup make wheezing noises when breathing. This sound is called stridor. Some children also have rapid, intermittent, difficult breathing. When the child breathes in and out, his chest rises and falls, which indicates that he is breathing hard. Both stridor and signs of difficulty breathing should be evaluated by a doctor.

Whooping cough/pertussis

Whooping cough, as it is also called whooping cough, is called whooping cough in medicine. This is a serious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. It is very contagious. It is easily spread through infected coughs and sneezes, but can be prevented by vaccination (immunization is included in the national vaccination scheme for children in Romania). It got the name “donkey cough” because of the sounds a child makes when it coughs.

Chronic cough

A chronic cough is a cough that lasts for a long time and requires taking anti-asthmatic drugs. Chronic cough can also occur with pneumonia, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease. This type of cough is treated differently and requires the presence of a doctor.

When a cough requires medical attention:

– when the child has convulsions or severe attacks of coughing, wheezing or stridor;

– if he has a cough that lasts more than four weeks/ when the cough gets worse/ when it seems to be caused by something special (eg pollen, dust, pets, etc.);

– when he has a fever for more than three days.

When a cough requires emergency medical care:

– when the child is younger than 3 months;

– with rapid breathing or difficulty breathing;

– blue lips, face or tongue during or after a coughing attack.

If you plan to give your child over-the-counter cough medicine, you risk doing more harm than good. Therefore, contact your child’s doctor with any questions about treatment.

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