Children's Coughs
Coughs and colds are common in childhood, with kids catching up to six or more colds per year.i, ii Usually a cough gets better on its own and is not serious. If your child is feeding, drinking, eating and breathing normally and there’s no wheezing, a cough isn’t usually anything to worry about. However, if their cough becomes worse or doesn’t go away, it may be a sign of a deeper issue (such as a chest infection, asthma or pneumonia) and you should consult with your doctor.ii
Understanding Your Child’s Cough
Why Do Coughs Happen?
Coughing is a natural bodily reflex designed to help clear your child’s lungs and expel mucus from their airways.iii, iv For this reason, you don’t want to stop a child from coughing completely – but it’s important to monitor the child’s cough and consult your doctor if it is causing them consistent discomfort or pain, or appears to be getting worse.ii
What Causes a Cough?
The most common cause of a cough is a respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or flu. Other causes of coughing include an allergy, asthma, or an irritant such as dust or cigarette smoke.iv Sometimes a child can develop a ‘habit’ cough – a repetitive cough without any obvious underlying disease, which requires reassurance and minimal further investigation..v
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Common Coughs and Their Symptoms
- A cough with a cold: A chesty, ‘wet’ cough that often worsens at night.vi Lying down can cause mucus to drip from the nose and mouth into the windpipe (a postnasal drip), triggering the cough reflex.vii, viii Treatment for a cold usually includes bed rest, plenty of fluids and staying warm. Age-appropriate paracetamol, such as Panadol Colour-Free Suspension 1-5 Years, help to reduce your child’s fever and any accompanying headache or muscle aches.ix
- An asthmatic cough: This is a cough where your child wheezes and has difficulty breathing. It tends to be worse at night and after exercise. Consult your doctor regarding the best asthma treatment for your child. They may recommend an asthma relief medication such as an inhaler.x
Relieving Your Child’s Cough – The Do’s and Don’ts
- DO encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. Viral infections are spread through direct contact with infected secretions in the air or on contaminated surfaces such as door handles.xiv
- DO monitor your child’s temperature. A reading of over 38°C is generally a sign of a fever.xv Paracetamol can help lower this and there are Children’s Panadol products suitable for babies, toddlers and children.xviii Consult with your doctor first before giving your child any medicine.
- DO offer frequent drinks to keep them hydrated.xvi
- DON’T assume your child needs antibiotics for a cough they will not help if a cough is caused by a viral infection.xvii
- DON’T put other children in the sick child’s bed at night, as this may spread the virus.xiv
- DON’T give over-the-counter cough medicines to any child aged six or younger.xvi, xvii
Coughs in Children – When Should I Seek Advice?
A cough is a common symptom which is commonly caused by a cold. Usually a cough gets better on its own and is not serious.ii However, if your child has trouble breathing or becomes more unwell, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. If your baby is under three months and shows signs of a high fever with their cough, seek immediate medical attention.xv
SOURCES
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i.Childhood illnesses. Health Direct. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/childhood-illnesses. Accessed 25/06/19.
ii.Coughs, colds and ear infections in children. Health Direct. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coughs-colds-and-ear-infections-in-children. Accessed 20/02/20.
iii.Cough and Sputum Production. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK359/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK359.pdf. Accessed 20/02/20.
iv.Cough. NHS Inform. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/lungs-and-airways/cough. Accessed 20/02/20.
v.Cough. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. https://www.rch.org.au/connect/prereferral_guidelines/Cough/. Accessed 11/12/19.
vi.Cough. Health Direct. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cough. Accessed 20/02/20.
vii.Cracking the cough code. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/cracking-the-cough-code. Accessed 20/0/20.
viii.Coughing. Kids Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/childs-cough.html. Accessed 20/02/20.
ix.Common cold. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/. Accessed 20/02/20.
x.Asthma. Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Asthma/. Accessed 20/02/20.
xi.Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html. Accessed 20/02/20.
xii.Fever in children. Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Fever_in_children/. Accessed 20/02/20.
xiii.First aid: Coughing. Kids Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cough-sheet.html. Accessed 20/02/20.
xiv.Cough. Health Direct. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cough. Accessed 20/02/20.
xv.Paracetamol for children. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/. Accessed 28/02/20.
