What is a cough?

A cough is a common symptom of illness. A cough helps get infected fluid out of the lungs. Your child may have a dry cough or a wet cough. A wet cough is when your child coughs up mucus.

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What causes a cough?

Most coughs are caused by a viral infection of the trachea (windpipe) or bronchi (larger air passages in the lungs).

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How can I take care of my child?

• Medicines to loosen the cough and thin the secretions.

   

  • Cough drops: Children over 4 years old can usually control coughing by sucking on cough drops or hard candy.

  • Homemade cough syrup: For children 1 to 4 years old, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of corn syrup instead of cough drops.

  • Warm liquids for coughing: Warm liquids such as warm lemonade, warm apple juice, or warm herbal tea usually relax the airway and loosen up the mucus. (Avoid this if your child is less than 4 months old.)

• Cough-suppressant medicines.
  The cough reflex helps protect the lungs. Use cough-suppressant drugs only for dry coughs that interfere with sleep, going to school, or work. Do not give them to infants less that 1 year old or for wet coughs.

• Humidifiers in the treatment of cough. Dry air tends to make coughs worse. Use a humidifier.

• Active and passive smoking. Don't let anyone smoke around your coughing child. The cough could last weeks longer with smoke exposure.

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Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Your child has difficulty breathing AND is not better after you clear the nose.

• Breathing becomes fast or difficult when not coughing.

• Your child starts acting very sick.

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Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• A fever lasts more than 3 days.

• The cough lasts more than 3 weeks.

• You have other questions or concerns.

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Published by McKesson Clinical Reference Systems

Copyright © 1986-2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC.

All rights reserved.

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