The main causes of cough in children
Most often, a cough is caused by viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, and it persists for another one to two weeks after the runny nose and fever have passed. The second most common mechanism is the flow of mucus down the back of the throat with adenoids and sinusitis, which causes the cough to worsen at night and in the morning. In some children, cough is the only manifestation of bronchial asthma, especially if it occurs at night, after running and in cold air. Whooping cough, foreign body and passive smoking are considered separately.
- ARVI and post-infectious cough
- Drainage of mucus due to adenoids and sinusitis
- Bronchitis and bronchiolitis
- Pneumonia
- Bronchial asthma
- Croup (laryngotracheitis)
- Whooping cough
- Foreign body in the respiratory tract
- Passive smoking and dry dusty air
What does the cough character say?
A dry, persistent cough is typical of the onset of a viral infection and irritation of the throat. A wet cough with expectoration of sputum is a sign that the bronchi are being cleared and does not need to be suppressed. A rough, barking cough with hoarseness and noisy inhalation indicates croup, which often begins at night and requires parental reassurance and assessment of breathing. A paroxysmal cough leading to vomiting, especially in an incompletely vaccinated child, makes one think about whooping cough. A sudden cough in a previously healthy baby is a reason to rule out a foreign body.
- Dry obsessive - the beginning of ARVI, pharyngitis
- Wet productive - cleansing the bronchi
- Barking with hoarseness - croup
- Wheezing - bronchial obstruction
- Attacks to the point of vomiting - possible whooping cough
- Cough at night and after exercise - possible asthma
- Sudden attack in a healthy child - foreign body
Survey
The main thing in diagnosis is examination: the doctor assesses the frequency and nature of breathing, listens to the lungs, examines the throat and ears. A chest X-ray is prescribed for suspected pneumonia, prolonged cough and after a foreign body, but not for every coughing child. A complete blood count helps assess the nature of the infection. If asthma is suspected, school-age children undergo spirometry, and if cough is associated with allergies, an allergen test is prescribed. If you have a persistent cough, consider testing for whooping cough and tuberculosis.
- Examination and auscultation of the lungs
- Assessment of respiratory rate and respiratory muscle function
- Chest X-ray according to indications
- General blood test
- Spirometry in older children
- Total IgE and allergy panels for suspected allergies
- Examination for whooping cough and tuberculosis with a prolonged cough
How to help at home
The most effective and safest thing is to drink plenty of warm fluids, cool, moist air in the room and regularly rinse your nose with saline solution, because a stuffy nose worsens the cough. Children over one year old can be offered a spoonful of honey at night if there is no allergy; Honey is contraindicated for children under one year of age. Remove tobacco smoke, strong odors and dust from your home. Walking at a normal temperature and feeling good is beneficial. Do not force your child to hold back his cough and do not give medicine “just in case.”
- Plenty of warm drinks
- Cool moist air and ventilation
- Rinse the nose with saline solution
- Honey at night for children over one year old
- No tobacco smoke in the house
- Walking at normal temperatures
- Wet cleaning and avoidance of strong odors
Treatment: what works and what doesn't
Antitussive drugs that suppress the cough center are prescribed to children extremely rarely and only by a doctor: suppressing a wet cough interferes with the cleansing of the bronchi. Expectorants and mucolytics have a limited evidence base and may not be safe in children under two years of age. Inhalation of medications through a nebulizer is effective for bronchial obstruction, but is used as prescribed by a doctor, and not for every cough; Steam inhalation over a saucepan is dangerous due to burns. Antibiotics are only needed for bacterial infections, such as pneumonia.
- Antitussives - rarely and only as directed
- Mucolytics are not indicated for young children unless prescribed
- Nebulizer therapy as prescribed by a doctor
- Steam inhalation over a saucepan is dangerous
- Antibiotics only for bacterial infections
- Basic therapy for confirmed asthma
- Observation and re-examination for persistent cough