Cough: Brief Version

What is a cough?

A cough is a sudden forcing of air from the lungs. It is a common symptom of illness. A cough helps gets infected fluid out of the lungs. Your child may have a dry cough or a wet cough. A wet cough is when your child coughs up mucus.

What causes a cough?

Most coughs are caused by a viral infection of the trachea (windpipe) or bronchi (larger air passages in the lungs).

How can I take care of my child?

• Medicines to loosen the cough and thin the secretions.
  • Cough drops: Children over 6 years old can usually control coughing by sucking on cough drops. If you do not have cough drops, you can use hard candy.
  • Homemade cough syrup: For children over 1 year old, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey.
  • Warm liquids for coughing: Warm liquids such as warm lemonade, warm apple juice, or warm herbal tea usually relax the airway and loosen up the mucus. (Avoid this if your child is less than 4 months old.)
• Cough-suppressant medicines.

  Cough and cold medicines are not as helpful as honey. Do not give them to children under 4 years old. Coughing helps protect the lungs by clearing out germs.

  Fluids. Make sure your child drinks lots of water. This loosens mucus and prevents dehydration.

• Humidifiers. Dry air tends to make coughs worse. Use a humidifier.
• Active and passive smoking. Don't let anyone smoke around your coughing child. The cough could last weeks longer with smoke exposure.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Breathing becomes fast or difficult when not coughing.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• A fever lasts more than 3 days.
• The cough lasts more than 3 weeks.
• You have other questions or concerns.