A cough has a cause. We'll find it and help your child rest easier
A cough that keeps your child, and you, awake is exhausting. A pediatric cough consultation finds out what is behind it, from a simple cold to asthma, and gives you a plan for relief.
Cough with a runny nose and fever? If it looks like a cold or chest infection, these pages may fit better.
See Cold Consultation →Most coughs are harmless and clear up by themselves
A cough is the airway's way of clearing itself. Most are caused by viral infections and settle in a couple of weeks. The visit looks for the cases that are not simple, such as a cough that is lasting, getting worse, or affecting breathing.
What a cough consultation covers
The type, timing and company of a cough all point to its cause.
The type of cough
Dry, wet, barking or whooping, and what each tends to mean.
Timing and duration
Worse at night, after exercise, or lasting for weeks?
Other symptoms
Fever, runny nose, wheeze, noisy breathing, or trouble feeding.
Breathing and chest
Breathing rate, effort, and a careful listen to the chest.
Triggers and exposures
Smoke, dust, pets, cold air and allergies at home.
Comfort and care
Safe ways to ease the cough and help your child sleep.
Get urgent help if a child with cough
Don't wait for a routine appointment.
- Is breathing fast, or working hard to breathe
- Has noisy, harsh breathing even when calm
- Turns blue or pale around the lips
- Has choked on something and started coughing suddenly
- Is too breathless to speak, feed or play
- Is younger than three months with a cough
- Has a high fever with a persistent cough and looks unwell
- Is drowsy or hard to wake
What's usually behind a cough
Some patterns we see often.
Colds and viral infections
The most common cause, usually with a runny nose.
Allergic or asthma-related
Worse at night, with exercise, or with triggers.
Chest infection
Fever, fast breathing and a cough that doesn't ease.
Other causes
Reflux, enlarged tonsils, a lingering cough after illness, or an inhaled object.
What your child's visit includes
A conversation about the cough
When it began, what it sounds like, when it's worse, and what you have tried.
A chest and breathing check
Breathing rate, effort and a careful listen with a stethoscope.
Looking at the whole picture
Nose, throat, ears, and any signs of allergy or asthma.
Tests, only if they are needed
Many coughs need no tests. If a chest X-ray or other test is advised, the reason is explained.
A clear plan
What is likely causing it, how to relieve it, and when to return.
What to bring
Helping the doctor see the full picture
A short recording of the cough
A phone clip helps if the cough isn't there during the visit.
A cough diary
When it happens and what seems to set it off.
Medicines already tried
Names and how long they were given.
Family history
Asthma, allergy or eczema in the family.
Dr. K. Sushma
Dr. Sushma listens carefully to how a cough sounds and behaves, because that often tells the story before any test does.
Questions parents often ask
Most coughs from a cold ease within two to three weeks. A cough lasting longer, or one that keeps coming back, should be checked.
Often not. Many cough medicines are not suitable for young children. Your doctor will advise what is safe and useful, if anything.
It can be, especially with wheeze or a cough after play. A cough alone isn't enough, so the whole picture is looked at.
Only when the history and examination suggest it will help. Most coughs don't need one.
Is a cough keeping your child up at night?
Book a cough consultation with Dr. K. Sushma at our Pragathi Nagar clinic.
