Coughs

Coughs are an associated symptom of a cold.  Most coughs appear after having upper respiratory symptoms (colds).  In general, if your child does not have a fever, the cough is not affecting their activity or sleep, and is not causing respiratory difficulty the symptom should resolve in 5-7 days.  Over the counter cough medicines are not recommended in children under 6 years of age. A recent study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, found that one teaspoon of honey before bed worked better than cough medicine.  Honey should not be given to children under 1 year of age. Use of a cool mist vaporizer in the child's bedroom will often help quiet the cough. 

Contact the doctor if your child:

- has had a cough for several days and then develops a fever lasting longer than 24 hours.

- has a cough that is nonstop or causing them to gag

- is having any difficult respirations. (wheezing, panting, etc.)