Acute cough in children

What it is

An acute cough in a child is most often a symptom of an ordinary viral infection. It can persist for 2–3 weeks after the child has otherwise recovered, and on its own it does not mean a complication.

Red flags

Examine the child immediately if any one of the following is present:

• shortness of breath, intercostal and suprasternal retractions, nasal flaring;

• age under 3 months with a temperature of 38 °C or higher;

• fever lasting longer than 5 days, or returning after improvement;

• cough lasting longer than 4 weeks;

• blood in the sputum;

• a sudden coughing fit in a healthy child with no signs of a viral respiratory infection — rule out a foreign body.

What helps

• plenty of fluids and adequate air humidity;

• honey — for children over 1 year (never under 1: risk of botulism);

• paracetamol or ibuprofen dosed by weight — for fever with impaired wellbeing.

What does not help

• antibiotics for a viral cough — they do not speed up recovery;

• codeine-containing medicines — contraindicated in children;

• over-the-counter “cough remedies” for children under 6 — efficacy is unproven and the risks are real;

• mustard plasters, cupping, rubs.

Related topics

If the cough is barking, the voice is hoarse and inspiration is noisy — see Croup.

Demo content. Check dosing against your national guidance.