Overview

Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs and upper airway passages or of reacting to an irritated airway.

Coughs have certain traits you can learn to recognize. A cough is only a symptom, not a disease. Often, you can't tell how serious the problem is until you also look at your child's other symptoms.

Productive coughs

A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus (sputum). The mucus may have drained down the back of the throat from the nose or sinuses. Or it may have come up from the lungs. In most cases, you shouldn't suppress a productive cough. The cough clears mucus from the lungs. There are many causes of a productive cough, such as:

• Viral illnesses. It's normal to have a productive cough with the common cold. Coughing is often triggered by mucus that drains down the back of the throat.
• Infections. An infection of the lungs or upper airway passages can cause a cough. A productive cough may be a symptom of pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, or tuberculosis.
• Chronic lung disease. A productive cough could be a sign that a lung disease is getting worse or that your child has an infection.
• Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. This type of coughing may be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may awaken your child from sleep.
• Nasal discharge (postnasal drip) draining down the back of the throat. This can cause a productive cough or make your child feel the need to clear their throat often. Experts disagree about whether the postnasal drip or the viral illness that caused it is causing the cough.

Nonproductive coughs

A nonproductive cough is dry. It doesn't produce sputum. A dry, hacking cough may occur toward the end of a cold or after exposure to an irritant, such as dust or smoke. There are many causes of a nonproductive cough. They include:

• Viral illnesses. After a common cold, a dry cough may last several weeks longer than other symptoms. It often gets worse at night.
• Bronchospasm. A nonproductive cough, particularly at night, may mean spasms in the bronchial tubes caused by irritation.
• Allergies. Frequent sneezing is also a common symptom of allergic rhinitis.
• Exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals.
• Asthma. A chronic dry cough may be a sign of mild asthma. Other symptoms may include wheezing, shortness of breath, or a feeling of tightness in the chest.
• Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object, such as food or a pill.

Coughs that affect children

Children may have coughs from diseases or causes that usually don't affect adults, such as:

• Croup.
• Infection of the lower respiratory system (such as bronchiolitis or respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]).
• Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object, such as food, a piece of a balloon, or a small toy.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke from parents or caregivers who smoke.
• Emotional or psychological problems. A dry, nonproductive "psychogenic cough" is seen more often in children than in adults.

Antibiotic use

Many coughs are caused by a viral illness. Antibiotics aren't used to treat viral illnesses. They don't change the course of viral infections. Using an antibiotic when it's not needed exposes your child to the risks of an allergic reaction and antibiotic side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and yeast infections. Antibiotics also may kill helpful bacteria and encourage the growth of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Self-Care

Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign substances and mucus from the lungs and upper airway passages. Productive coughs are often useful. Don't try to stop a productive cough. Sometimes, though, coughs are severe enough to impair breathing or prevent rest. Here are some things you can do at home to help your child feel more comfortable when they have a cough.

• Prevent dehydration.

  Fluids may help soothe an irritated throat. Honey or lemon juice in warm water or tea may help a dry, hacking cough. But don't give honey to children younger than 1 year of age. It may contain bacteria that are harmful to babies.

• Gargle.

  Children who can gargle can try gargling with warm salt water to help ease a sore throat caused by coughing.

• Try moist air.

  Try a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to the room. Warm or cool mist may help relieve symptoms. Follow all cleaning instructions and precautions for the machine.

• Be careful with cough and cold medicines.
  • Don't give them to children younger than 6. They don't work for children that age and can even be harmful. For children 6 and older, always follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure you know how much medicine to give and how long to use it. And use the dosing device if one is included.
  • Follow directions. How much medicine to take and how often to take it may be very different for children than for adults. Always follow the directions about how much to use based on age and, in some cases, weight.
  • Don't give your child leftover antibiotics, or antibiotics or medicines that were prescribed for someone else.
• Take special care with a barking cough.
  • Try to stay calm and soothe your child. Your child's crying can make the swelling in the windpipe worse and make it even harder to breathe.
  • Give your child a hug or offer a favorite toy.
  • If symptoms improve with these methods, put your child back in bed. If the symptoms happen during the middle of the night, it's a good idea to sleep in or near your child's room until morning.
  • Be sure to keep your child well hydrated. Offer water, flavored ice pops (such as Popsicles), or crushed ice drinks several times each hour.
  • Do not let anyone smoke around your child or in the house.
  • Do not give your child over-the-counter cough or cold medicines. They don't help with croup, and they may not be safe for young children.

When to call for help during self-care

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

• New or worse trouble breathing.
• A fever.
• Coughing up blood.
• Coughing up yellow or green mucus.
• Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

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