Coughs in children

Coughs in children

We’ve all been there - having a cough is tough and can drain you of energy while making everyday activities and tasks are more arduous and painful.

Children’s coughs are, for the most part, nothing to worry about and will go away on their own.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not important to understand where they come from and what causes them.

 

Causes and types of cough in children

There are several common causes associated with coughs in children, and the chances are that your child’s cough will fall under one of the following categories.

These include:

Colds - Viral upper respiratory infections are the most common cause of coughs and runny noses in children of all ages. The good news is that these coughs will settle by themselves and usually do not need any treatment.

Seasonal allergies - Allergies can be displayed through all manner of different symptoms. They generally do not often affect children until the age of 2-3 and will display symptoms of itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose and often a cough, congestion and sneezing.

Pneumonia - Pneumonia is often accompanied by a high fever. Symptoms in children can be more subtle than in adults however it is important to be aware of any changes in your child’s breathing and seek expert help.

Bronchiolitis - This is most commonly seen in very young children often caused by RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus - a virus with symptoms similar to a common cold.

Asthma - A chronic condition diagnosed in 1 in 10 children. Asthma attacks can be caused by a number of factors including exercise, cold air and even excitement, lead to breathing difficulty and wheezing and need specific treatments including inhalers and steroid medications.

Pertussis - Pertussis is often called whooping cough and is a highly contagious illness which can be prevented through vaccination.

Croup - This often results in swelling in the upper airway which makes breathing more difficult. Children can present with croup at any age however it is considerably more common in children under the age of 5.

All of these causes are entirely treatable and can be quickly cleared up with the proper attention
and treatment. In most cases, your child’s cough will clear up on its own with a little TLC - however, if the cough persists or starts to exacerbate other symptoms, we encourage you to get in touch.

Managing your child’s cough

When your child displays symptoms of a cough, it is important to make sure that they stay hydrated, with pain relief sometimes helping to ease the dry and scratchy throat or the ache in the chest which often comes hand in hand with a cough.

Cough suppressants and over the counter cough remedies are not recommended in children.

There is some evidence that a spoonful of honey before bedtime can help children with troublesome nighttime cough (only for babies over 1 year of age). Treating the underlying cause of the cough is also very important to see your paediatrician if you have any concerns.

Could it be COVID-19?

With COVID-19 still very much a part of our daily lives, it is possible that a cough could be a symptom of your child has contracted the virus. The severity of COVID-19 varies on a case by case basis with all patients, including children, but reassuringly  most children are only mildly affected. For more information on COVID-19 and  children, please visit our FAQs page for full advice.

When should I seek medical help?

It is important to seek advice from a paediatrician if your child’s cough is not settling, there is a high fever or they appear unwell to you. If your child is displaying any of the following, this indicates a more severe illness that needs urgent assessment.

• Your child has laboured breathing that is very rapid.

• Your child has difficulty breathing and/or you see their chest sinking in and out with each breath, called chest recession.

• Your child’s dry cough changes to sound like clicking, bubbling or rattling when your child inhales.

• Your child’s cough sounds like "barking" and is accompanied by a high-pitched sound when inhaling.

What to do next

For more information and guidance, or if you’re worried about the symptoms being displayed by your child, please get in touch with us.