Causes of cough in children

It is very common for children to cough. People with children at home should have this experience. The baby may develop coughing symptoms without realizing it. Sometimes the baby's cough is caused by a cold or a chill. This is also the most common symptom. There are many other reasons that can cause children to cough. Some common diseases are also inducements, such as common pneumonia. Parents should pay attention to it.

Children are prone to coughing, especially if they are not taken care of carefully in normal times. If they catch a cold accidentally in the winter, they will catch a cold, which can easily cause coughing. In fact, there are many causes of coughing, and we should understand the reasons why children cough.

1. Cough caused by common cold

Characteristics: Mostly irritating coughs, like itchy throat, without phlegm; occurring at any time of day or night, not accompanied by wheezing or shortness of breath.

Symptoms: The baby is sleepy and has a runny nose, which may sometimes be accompanied by fever, with the body temperature not exceeding 38°C; poor spirits and loss of appetite. After sweating and fever subside, the symptoms disappear, but the cough may continue for 3 to 5 days.

Cause: It is prevalent in all seasons and is more common when there is a big temperature difference. People usually experience catching a cold, such as kicking off the quilt when sleeping at night, wearing too few clothes, catching a cold when taking a bath, etc.

Doctor's opinion: Generally no special treatment is needed. Feed your baby more warm water, ginger water or onion water. Try to use less cold medicine. When your baby is irritable and has a fever, you can give him a little Xiaoerxin orally. Avoid using adult antipyretics, and do not feed him cough syrups, cough tablets, or other cough medicines. Do not abuse antibiotics.

2. Cold air irritation cough

Characteristics: The cough is initially an irritating dry cough.

Symptoms: light sputum, no fever, no shortness of breath and other accompanying symptoms.

Cause: Cold air is a purely physical factor that irritates the respiratory mucosa and causes an irritating cough. It is common in babies who do little outdoor activities. When the baby suddenly goes out and inhales cold air, the delicate respiratory mucosa will experience congestion, edema, exudation and other inflammatory reactions, thus inducing a cough reflex. There is no microbial infection initially, but if it persists for a long time, viral and bacterial infections may occur.

Doctor's opinion: Let your baby get exercise in temperature changes from an early age. Take your baby outdoors frequently, even in cold seasons. Only a well-trained respiratory tract can withstand the stimulation of cold air.

3. Cough caused by influenza

Characteristics: A slightly hoarse cough occurs in the throat, which tends to gradually worsen, and the amount of sputum increases from a small amount to a large amount.

Symptoms: Accompanied by obvious clicking symptoms (increased tears, mucus, and respiratory secretions), often accompanied by high fever above 38°C, which is generally difficult to reduce and lasts for a week; coughing and rapid breathing during high fever, and the baby is in poor spirits.

Cause: Caused by viral infection, often occurs during the influenza epidemic season in winter and spring, and often occurs in clusters.

Doctor's opinion: If you suspect you have influenza, you should seek medical attention immediately, get a clear diagnosis, and receive treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

There are many reasons why children cough. When a cough occurs, parents should be able to find out the cause in time. If it is a common cold, just pay attention to care. If it is some serious illness, such as pneumonia, it must be treated in time. Some coughs are caused by throat inflammation, and you must seek medical attention in time.