With the cold weather and the opening of schools, diseases such as colds, flu and colds increased in children. Cough complaints, which can be seen due to these diseases or caused by different reasons, were also among the most common reasons for families to apply to hospitals.

Cough is one of the most important and common symptoms of respiratory diseases. Since it is a complaint that frightens families and creates a lot of trouble, it has become one of the most common reasons why children are brought to the hospital these days.

Cough is a protective reflex that plays an important role in the removal of secretions and foreign substances from the respiratory system.

Viral infections are the most common cause of cough lasting less than four weeks. If the cough lasts less than four weeks, if it started with diseases such as colds and flu, if there is no significant problem in the examination of the child or there is no other accompanying disease, detailed examination is not required. However, any cough that lasts longer than four weeks may be a sign of a serious illness. needs.

Cough can have many causes. Diseases such as cold-flu, pharyngitis, postnasal drip, reflux, asthma, tuberculosis, heart failure may be the cause of cough.

The duration and shape of the cough guides us in determining the cause. A dry cough without sputum that occurs at night is mostly due to viral upper respiratory tract diseases or allergies. Coughs that start right after the child falls asleep may be due to postnasal drip, sinusitis and reflux.

Coughs that increase with exercise, movement, laughing-crying may be related to asthma. A hoarse, barking cough is seen in the group. In whooping cough, the cough is in the form of seizures and screams.

In case of cough, families should definitely not give cough syrup. Because we know that these drugs are generally not effective in treatment and they may have undesirable side effects. First of all, they should provide their children with plenty of fluids and good nutritional support, and take care that their nose is not blocked.

If high fever accompanies the cough, if it is in the form of a crisis, if the night cough prevents the child and the family from sleeping, if the cough started suddenly, if there is a cough with phlegm and in the first 3 months of the newborn period, the families should definitely consult a pediatrician.

Private European Safak Hospital

Child Health and Diseases Specialist. Dr. Yeliz Polat