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A cough lasting more than three weeks in children requires a doctor’s visit. Causes include asthma, sinus infections, reflux, foreign bodies, irritants, viral infections, and habitual coughs. Correct diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a child’s health.
Cough, which accounts for about 3% of all doctor visits, is a very common symptom in children. An acute cough is one that lasts up to three weeks and is typically caused by an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold. A persistent cough in children that has lasted for three weeks or more is cause for concern and requires a doctor’s visit for diagnosis. Possible causes of a chronic cough are asthma, sinus or nasal infection, esophageal problems, foreign bodies and irritants.
Asthma is a common airway disease that causes inflammation of the airways. Wheezing often accompanies an asthmatic cough, as does shortness of breath and a feeling of tightness in the chest. As many as half of all adolescents with asthma have a cough as their only symptom, so it’s important not to rule out asthma as a possibility, even without additional symptoms.
Nasal and sinus infections such as sinusitis and postnasal drip, which is caused by rhinitis, can also produce a persistent cough in children. Signs of rhinitis, also known as hay fever, include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy eyes and nose. These symptoms will most often show up as seasonal allergies. Year-round symptoms indicate exposure to indoor allergens.
Gastroesophageal reflux is very common in newborns and occurs when stomach fluid backs up the throat, causing the baby to choke. A child will present with a hoarse, choking voice in this case. Reflux usually goes away after a baby reaches 1 year of age. When it starts causing minor physical problems like cough, though, you need to get treatment.
Foreign bodies and irritants are also likely causes of a persistent cough in children. After being lodged in a child’s airway, a toy or other foreign object can remain there for months. This is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 4. Exposure to pollutants and cigarette smoke will cause respiratory problems in children and can lead to coughing. Parents should refrain from smoking near their children to avoid this risk.
Viral infection is also a consideration in diagnosing persistent cough in children. Often misdiagnosed as asthma, the infection can be caused by one of many viruses. The cough results from inflammation of the airways and the infection will subside without treatment.
Habitual cough is diagnosed by the exclusion of all physical causes and instead has psychological roots. This cough could be from obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, nervousness, or anxiety. The habitual cough does not occur while the sufferer is sleeping and tends to worsen under stress. A persistent cough in children that has no apparent physical origin may be a habitual cough and may require psychological treatment.
Any cough that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medications and remains after three weeks is considered a chronic cough. There are several causes of persistent cough in children, some of them life threatening, so you need to see a doctor for diagnosis. There are many ways to treat a cough, and choosing the correct method is crucial to a child’s health.
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