Your Child’s Cough And Its Underlaying Cause

A cough can mean many things and it is good to pay attention to your child’s cough and generally be aware of what to look for.The cough that comes with a runny nose or a sore throat is the one that is the most common. Coughs can sometimes last for 4 weeks and frequently occur in children. It could be nothing but a side effect of a common cold or it could be more serious, like a symptom of asthma or pneumonia. Read on to find out what your child’s cough could mean:

A “barking” cough

This kind of cough normally occurs at night and can be a sign of croup, an infection of the larynx and trachea, allergies or most likey a viral upper respiratory infection. This kind of cough is common in children below 3 years old because of their narrow airways which are easily blocked due to inflammation. If the croup persists then it is best to visit a doctor.

READ ALSO: When To See The Doctor About Your Child’s Fever

A “wheezing” cough

This kind of cough is when your child makes a wheezing sound (like an old man) when he exhales after coughing. It could be due to a swelling because of a respiratory infection caused by pneumonia (check for fever and other symptoms of pneumonia), asthma (due to seasonal irritants like pollen or if the cough gets worse at night) or due to chocking or some object blocking part of the airway. If this cough persists and your child has never had a wheezing cough and you are not aware of the cause then it is best to go get checked.

If your child is suddenly coughing and also has a rash, itchy throat, running nose or swelling of the face(lips, tongue, cheeks) it probably means that he/she is having an allergic reaction(to food, pollen or other allergens).

Stridor is when your child makes a very harsh, coarse (sometimes whistling) sound when inhaling then it could be a viral infection due to croup or it could be a much more serious condition called epiglottitis. It could also mean that something is stuck in your child’s air-pipe. Visit the doctor immediately.

If your child has fever and a cough it is not something to worry about unless the fever has reached 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more and your child is also breathing fast. These are all symptoms of pneumonia so contact your doctor immediately.

READ ALSO: 7 ‘Normal’ Symptoms That May Require Taking Your Child to the Doctor Promptly

A “Whooping cough” is when your child continuously coughs without breathing followed by a “whooping” or a “hoop” noise when he inhales. This is usually a sign of pertussis which comes with other symptoms such as a running nose, sneezing and low fever. It is a contagious bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. However most kids get a vaccine for this in the “DTaP” (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis). These vaccination shots are particularly important for people who are around infants because the highly contagious whooping cough is life-threatening to infants.

Culled from Superbaby Online