Imagine a baby who had a cold a few weeks ago, he no longer had a fever, he was not corrupted … but continuously coughing. Especially at night. Every time he laughs, he runs or screams. It seems to you, right?
Continuous coughing after respiratory infection is one of the frequent reasons for consultation with pediatrician. The first thing to know is that in most cases, this is not a warning.
In spite of all this situation, many parents ask questions when they see that their children’s coughing does not happen: Is this normal? Can you return to school? Should we give him something?
Why do you keep coughing later?
After a cold (high respiratory infection such as cold or furingitis), the respiratory tract muzzle has been inflamed for several days, sometimes even weeks. This remaining inflammatory coughing receptors and causing little stimulation to the child: cold air, exercise, temperature changes …
This type of cough Post -Infactus is called cough, and lasts for 2 to 4 weeks, even if the remaining symptoms have already disappeared.
In fact, during that period, especially when the baby becomes small and children go to school, it is infected with a new virus, which creates a respiratory process with another, not due to coughing, but it is not fully recovered before the new virus arrives.
What if the cough is dry?
In most cases, this remaining cough is not with mucus or expectation and is simply the natural evolution of the virus process.
However, pediatricians, however, have a range of persistent cough for 4 weeks, and may be due to other causes of coughing that appears to last more than the account, such as: for example:
- Asthma or bronchial hypertension: especially if coughing is worsening with exercise, there is a night or family history.
- Allergic rhinitis: In some cases, only persistent dry cough can be a sign of respiratory allergies, although it is usually a congestion or a hecher of the eyes.
- Gastrointestinal reflux: Although low, it can cause chronic dry cough.
- Wide Body: If there is a clear chapter of shortness of breath, if it appears a continuous cough, it should always be assessed.
What can I do at home?
Although there is no magical formula for cough to disappear, there are some activities that can make your child more comfortable, while improvement of the process is very common:
- Maintaining good hydration because water maintains hydration mucosa and reduces irritation in addition to the secretions.
- Avoid dry or smoke environments (tobacco). Keep in mind that a very strong heat can make cough worse. In these cases, a humidifier at home may be fine.
- The rooms are well ventilated and maintain a pleasant temperature without excessive heat.
- Do not force the child less to cough: a useful reflection of coughing. Do not suppress it if it does not prevent rest or functions.
- Do not use syrups without medical symptoms: most antidusigen is not useful in children and can cause side effects
When to consult with the pediatrician?
Most of the time a child has a continuous cough, it disappears a little patiently (or when you see). However, there are many signals that say that it is time to consult with the doctor:
- If the cough lasts more than 3-4 weeks.
- If beeps, respiratory disorder or fatigue.
- Cough often causes vomiting or preventing sleeping.
- If there is constant fever or the child is denied.
- If we suspect he may have breathe something.
In short …
TOS is a mechanism for protecting the body, and it is not always necessary to disappear. In most cases, the last time can be done without a reason to make alarm after cold and dry cough. But if you have more than you expected or other symptoms appear, it is time to assess the pediatrician.
In the meantime, water, patience … and some ear plugs to isolate yourself from the night music show when a child has a continuous cough.
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