When should you take your child to the doctor for a cough?

Always call your doctor if a child under the age of 3 months develops a cough and fever. The cough seems to be related to a specific activity or substance. If your child always coughs after physical exertion, he or she may have asthma, a respiratory condition that requires medical management.

How do I know if my child’s cough is serious?

Always call your doctor if your child is coughing and:

1. has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe.
2. is breathing faster than usual.
3. has a blue or dusky color to the lips, face, or tongue.
4. has a high fever (especially if your child is coughing but does NOT have a runny or stuffy nose)

When should I be concerned about a barking cough?

Children with mild croup usually improve in three to seven days. Croup can present with more severe symptoms and breathing issues that don’t resolve with simple home measures. If you have concerns about your child’s breathing, you should bring them for medical evaluation right away.

What do you do when your cough sounds like a bark?

Home remedies

1. Use a humidifier. This device can help moisten the air, which could make breathing easier.
2. Drink lots of fluids. Staying hydrated is important when you have croup.
3. Rest. Getting enough sleep can help your body fight off the virus.
4. Stay in an upright position.
5. Use over-the-counter pain relievers.

How long is too long for a child to have a cough?

Children can cough several times a day or have coughing episodes lasting up to a couple of weeks if they have viral infections. However, coughing that lasts more than two to three weeks should prompt a visit to your physician.

How long should a child’s cough last?

Visit the doctor. Most last no more than a few weeks, but some people have ones that stick around long after other symptoms are gone. In a child, a cough is considered chronic if it lasts more than 4 weeks. For adults, it’s 8 weeks or more.

What does a RSV cough sound like?

RSV in Infants & Toddlers Children with RSV typically have two to four days of upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as fever and runny nose/congestion. These are then followed by lower respiratory tract symptoms, like increasing wheezing cough that sounds wet and forceful with increased work breathing.

How do I know if my child has pneumonia?

The symptoms of pneumonia in kids may include cough with mucus, fever and chills, loss of appetite, tiredness, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, headache, and blue around lips or fingernails. Pneumonia is a type of infection that affects the lungs.

What type of cough is a barking cough?

Croup refers to an infection of the upper airway, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough. The cough and other signs and symptoms of croup are the result of swelling around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes (bronchi).

When is croup an emergency?

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your child’s lips or face turns bluish, if he is working hard to breathe, cannot speak or drink, or is drooling.

Why does my child’s cough sound like a bark?

When the upper airway is infected with the virus that causes croup, tissues around the voice box (larynx) and the windpipe (trachea) will swell. When a cough forces air through this narrowed passageway, it may sound like a seal barking.

What causes a child’s cough to sound like a dog barking?

A child’s cough that sounds like a seal or small dog barking is a sign of croup. This illness is most common in kids under age 8 and usually starts or worsens at night. Children may wake during the night with a barky cough and a loud whistling sound when they breathe in, called stridor.

When to call the pediatrician for a cough at night?

If your child has had an annoying on-and-off cough that gets worse at night and with activity, call the pediatrician. It is possible your child may have asthma, a chronic condition where the airways of the lungs become inflamed and narrow.

When should I Call my doctor if my child has croup?

A child can have croup at any age, but it happens more often in children under the age of 5. Call your pediatrician if: Coughs associated with croup have a distinctive “barking” sound and are often accompanied by a high-pitched sound when inhaling. If you see any of these symptoms, contact your child’s doctor immediately.

Should I be worried if my child has a cough?

Typically, a child’s cough is nothing to worry about. Every year parents can expect their children to get several colds, especially during the fall and winter months, which can result in coughing as a side effect. But there are times when it is important to call your child’s doctor.