Cough

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.

What causes a cough?

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

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.

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.

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.