About this topic
Coughing is an important reflex that helps clear the throat and airways. But, cough is also one of the common signs of childhood illness. A cough can be dry or productive. Acute cough may go away in about 3 weeks or less. A chronic cough can last longer than 3 weeks. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Follow all of the doctors instructions.
- Give your child's drugs as ordered by the doctor.
- Give your child lots of liquids. This will soothe your child's throat and thin secretions.
- Keep your child away from smoke and other airborne irritants.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to avoid dry air. This will help thin secretions.
- Treat the problem that causes the cough.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
Children younger than 6 years old should not take over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold drugs. Your childs doctor may give drugs if there is a reason for the cough that can be treated. At home you can try these things to help your child's cough: ‚
- For children 3 months to 1 year old: Give warm clear fluids such as water or apple juice to treat the cough. Try 1 to 3 teaspoons (5 to 15 mL) 4 times each day when coughing. Avoid honey until 1 year old.
- For children 1 year and older: Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 mL) of honey as needed. It can thin the secretions and loosen the cough. If not available, you can use corn syrup.
- For children 6 years and older: Use cough drops to coat the sore throat. If not available, you can use hard candy.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your childs hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill the virus.
- Teach your child to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Your child can also cough into the elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and have your child wash hands after touching used tissues.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Make sure your child gets a flu shot each year. Make sure your child gets other regular vaccines as well.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Signs of fluid loss. These include soft spot on a babys head looks sunken, few or no tears when crying, dark-colored urine or only a small amount of urine for more than 6 to 8 hours, dry mouth, cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling very sleepy.
- Problem with breathing or lips turn blue while coughing
- Feeling weak, cranky, or irritable
- Health problem is not better or your child is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help soothe my child's sore throat and thin secretions.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has a problem breathing or the lips turn blue when coughing.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/Symptom-Checker/Pages/Cough.aspx ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/cough-toux/index_e.php ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/childs_cough.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚