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COUGHING IN CHILDREN
     

Coughing is a normal reaction to irritation in the throat or lungs. Coughing is unusual in babies under6 months old & may indicate a serious lung infection. Most coughs are caused by minor infections of the nose &/or throat, but the sudden onset of coughing may be caused by choking.

DANGER SIGNS: Call an ambulance if your child is coughing & has any of the following symptoms -

  • Bluish lips or tongue
  • Drowsiness
  • Inability to swallow, talk, or produce sounds
  • Excessively rapid breathing
 
Recommended Product:
Charak product for Cough>>Kofol;
Charak product for Fever>>Curill;
Charak product for better Health>>Manoll
     

How long has your child been coughing?

Started suddenly a few minutes ago
Is it possible that your child is choking on food or a small object?

Possible
POSSIBLE CAUSE
An inhaled foreign body may be the cause of the coughing.
MEDICAL HELP
EMERGENCY! Call an ambulance! While waiting for medical help, follow the first-aid advice for CHOKING.
Unlikely  
 
   
Started more than a few minutes ago
How old is your child?

6 months or over
Is your child's breathing abnormally rapid or noisy?

Abnormally rapid Refer chart on 'BREATHING PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN'
Noisy
Neither  

Does the cough have either of these characteristics?

Comes in fits ending with a whoop
POSSIBLE CAUSE
PERTUSSIS may be the cause of your child's cough.
MEDICAL HELP
Call your child's doctor within 24 hrs.
Is accompanied by vomiting
Neither

Does your child have a runny nose?

Most of the time or very often
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Your child may have an allergy or ENLARGED ADENOIDS, both of which may cause these symptoms.s
MEDICAL HELP
Make an appointment to see your doctor.
Has developed a runny nose within the past few days
Does your child have a fever - a temperature of 100oF (38oC) or above?

Fever
POSSIBLE CAUSE
A viral illness, such as a COMMON COLD or INFLUENZA is the most likely cause of your child's symptoms.
SELF HELP
See the advice for BRINGING DOWN A FEVER. Consult your child's doctor if symptoms worsen, if your child is no better in 2 days, or if other symptoms develop.
No fever
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Your child probably has a COMMON COLD.
SELF HELP
STEAM INHALATION may help relieve the cough. Consult your child's doctor if symptoms worsen, if your child is no better in 2 days, or if other symptoms develop.
No runny nose

When does the coughing occur?

Mainly at night
POSSIBLE CAUSE
There is a possibility that your child has ASTHMA.
MEDICAL HELP
Call your doctor within 24 hrs.
After exercise
When out in the cold
None of the above
Are there smokers in the home or might your child have been smoking?
     
     

Smokers in the home
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Your child's cough may be a response to being in a smoky atmosphere or to smoking.
SELF HELP
Make sure that no one smokes in the house & avoid taking your child into a smoky atmosphere. If you suspect your child may be smoking, encourage him or her to stop.
Child might smoke
Neither If you cannot identify a possible cause for your child's cough from this chart, call your child's doctor within 24 hrs.
Under 6 months
POSSIBLE CAUSE
There is a possibility that your baby may be suffering from serious lung infection.
MEDICAL HELP
URGENT! Call your baby's doctor immediately!
     
     

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