When to Worry About Your Child’s Persistent Cough :
As a pediatric pulmonologist, I often see parents worried about their child’s lingering cough. Recently, a mother brought in her 4-year-old son who had been struggling with repeated cough for nearly two years. She told me that since the age of two, her son would catch a cold almost every month, and each time, the cough would last for about two weeks. She described how his cough would get worse at night, disturbing his sleep and even causing vomiting at times. He’d improve for about 10 days, only to start the cycle all over again. Because of this, his weight gain had also stalled, and the parents were starting to lose hope.
When I saw him, I decided to perform a Forced Oscillometry Test, a lung function test that’s particularly useful in young children. It turned out that he had an allergic cough with underlying wheezing – something that had been missed for years. With the right diagnosis, we started him on appropriate treatment, and he has been doing significantly better since. His cough has reduced, his sleep is back on track, and he’s finally putting on weight. His parents couldn’t be happier.
When is a Cough Considered Persistent?
A cough that lasts more than four weeks is called chronic. It might mean there’s something else going on, like asthma, an allergy, or a lung infection.
Common Causes of Persistent Cough :
- Wheezing (narrowed airways)
- Allergies or postnasal drip
- Respiratory infections (like bronchitis or pneumonia)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Smoke, pollution, or other irritants
Warning Signs to Watch For:
- Cough with wheezing or shortness of breath
- Nighttime coughing or early morning flare-ups
- Coughing that leads to vomiting
- Cough with weight loss or poor growth
- Cough with blood in the sputum
- Cough and cold almost every month
Next Steps for Parents :
- Consult a Specialist: A pediatric pulmonologist can help figure out what’s causing the cough.
- Detailed History: Keep track of when the cough started, what triggers it, and how long it lasts.
- Diagnostic Tests: Sometimes, a chest X-ray, lung function test, or allergy test might be needed.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Reduce exposure to known irritants like smoke or dust.
Conclusion :
- Getting to the bottom of a persistent cough can make a big difference in your child’s health. If your child has a cough that just won’t go away, don’t hesitate to reach out to a specialist. Sometimes, the right diagnosis can change everything – just like it did for this young boy and his relieved parents.
