Ten Types of Cough in Children

Cough is one of the symptoms most often found in children, and is a complaint that often causes parents to bring their children to the doctor.

Cough is a symptom of most respiratory infections. Respiratory infection include:

Upper respiratory infections, like colds (known also as common colds, runny noses, nasofaringitis faringorinitis acute or acute.)

Lower respiratory infections, like pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis.

Basically the cough is not too dangerous because as already explained above cough is a mechanism to issue something like mucus. Cough in children should be aware if accompanied by:

High fever up to 39 ° C and more than 3 days,

listless and breathing fast,

chest tightness, bluish lips face and tongue,

bleeding.

Sometimes the cough sounds great. However, cough is usually not a symptom of that harm. Actually cough is a reflex of the body to help clear the airway. However, cough may be the reason for the visit to the doctor. We need to know the types of cough, so we know how to handle it and we know also when to seek medical assistance.

The types of cough in children, among others:

1. Cough "barking" or bark

Coughing like this are usually caused by croup, an inflammation of the trachea larings and triggered by allergies, change in temperature at night, or most often are caused by viral upper respiratory infection. In small children, small airways which will further constrict when subjected to inflammation. Vocal cords to swell so that the child was having difficulty breathing.

Children aged less than 3 years most often suffer from croup. Croup can occur suddenly in the middle of the night, so parents were worried. Although most cases can be handled at home, if the child has croup is suspected, contact your doctor to discuss his condition.

Cough is caused by allergies, change in air temperature and upper respiratory tract infections. Coughing can strike children suddenly, especially at night and before dawn when a child is sleeping.

2. Whooping Cough

A cough that often ends with a voice like vomiting when we take a breather. Cough is caused by bacteria such as pertussis, which can be transmitted through the liquid spray from the nose or mouth of infected people, who can out due to sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

The sound "whoop" is the sound that occurs after the cough, which is when the child tried to take a deep breath after coughing continuously for couple of times. If your child wheezes "whoop" (which sounds like "hoop") after a persistent cough several times, most likely there are symptoms of pertussis (whooping cough)-particularly if your child has not received vaccination diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis (DTP / DTaP ).

On the other hand, babies who suffer from pertussis is usually not a noise "whoop" after a long episode of coughing, but the baby like this can be lack of oxygen or even stop breathing because of the disease. In infants and very young children, pertussis can be deadly. Therefore, immediately contact your doctor.

3. Cough with wheeze

Cough accompanied by wheezing sounds when breathing out the air children, this may indicate the existence of a "blockage" in the lower airway. This blockage can be caused by the swelling due to respiratory infections (such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia), asthma, or as a result of something stuck in the airway. In circumstances like this, contact your doctor, unless your child has often experienced this problem and you already have a drug, such as an inhaler or nebulizer, accompanied by instructions for using the drug to deal with asthma at home. If the child does not improve with treatment, contact your doctor.

4. Stridor

In contrast with wheezing, stridor is a noisy breath sounds and coarse-sounding when the child inhales. If you hear stridor, call your doctor immediately.

Stridor, most often caused by swelling of the upper airway, usually caused by croup due to viruses. However, sometimes it can also arise as a result of foreign objects that obstruct the airway or a more severe due to infection is epiglottitis. Epiglottitis rnerupakan life-threatening situation, where the swollen epiglottis and cover airflow to the lungs. Causes of swelling of the epiglottis are the most common is a bacterial infection Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). However, epiglottitis can also arise from other causes such as burns due to hot water, wounded in the throat, and various viral and bacterial infections.

5. Sudden cough

if the child coughs suddenly, perhaps a child choking on food or drink in. "wrong track" is to the airway or is there something (eg piece of food, vomit, or maybe a toy or coin) is caught in his throat or airway. Coughing helps clear the airway and the release of such blockages.

Coughing can last up to a minute or so only briefly due to the throat or airway irritation. However, if the cough does not subside or even become kinjung difficulty breathing, contact your doctor. Jangan not try to clear his throat with your finger because this action can precisely mendorong blockage that there are further and further down into the windpipe.

6. Nighttime Cough

Many coughs are worse at night. This is because at the time of the child lying in bed, blockage of the nose and sinuses drains into the throat and cause irritation. This situation is generally not worrisome unless it is to disturb the sleep of the child.

Asthma can also trigger nighttime coughs because the airways we tend to be more sensitive and become more easily irritated during the night.

7. Daytime Cough

Usually caused by allergies, asthma, colds (colds), influenza and other respiratory infections. Cold air or activity can aggravate a cough, and cough are often better at night or while the child is resting. In these circumstances, should the AC is not turned on, no pets or smoke, which causes coughing child.

8. Cough with cold (colds)

Most colds (colds) accompanied by a cough. Therefore, it is understandable if when your child is cold, it also has a cough (dry or with phlegm). Coughing usually lasts for a week when the symptoms of colds (colds) others have been eased.

9. Cough with Fever

If the child coughs, with a high fever and no runny nose, chances are he suffered from colds (colds) ordinary. On the other hand, the cough is accompanied by 39 degrees Celsius or higher where the child seems lethargic and breathing quickly, think about the possibility of pneumonia. In this case, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

10. Cough with vomiting

Severe cough in children is often stimulate the vomiting reflex. Usually, this is not harmful unless the vomiting continued. Children who cough with colds (colds) / flu or asthma, may vomit if the mucus to flow to the stomach and cause nausea. Keep in mind, this situation can be is a common and harmless.

Handling at home

There are some things you can do at home to make children more comfortable when he was coughing. However, consulting a doctor is still required in the circumstances as described above.

If a child has asthma, make sure that you have received asthma management instructions from your pediatrician. Monitor closely the development of the child during an asthma attack and give asthma medicines as directed.

If the child-clogged nose, wipe his nose before giving food.

If your child has colds, rest at home. This will help healing and prevent transmission to others. Remember that hand washing is essential to prevent transmission.

If the child awoke at night with a cough like a barking ", take the child into the bathroom, close the door, and turn the faucet shower warm water for a few minutes to fill a bathtub. If there is no hot water shower, you can put hot water into the bucket and leave the room to be full steam. Sit with your child on the bathroom floor for about 20 minutes. The water vapor will help the child breathe easier. Read the story books so that children feel comfortable.

Keep moist environment (air conditioner makes the room becomes dry).

Cold beverages like juice can give a sense of comfort. Avoid soft drinks or acidic drinks because it can stimulate the gastrointestinal tract.

Do not give your children (especially infants and young children) cough medicines are freely sold without specific instructions from the doctor.

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