Concerned about your child’s cough? The 9 signs it could be dangerous and when to call 999
WITH cold season well and truly underway, most children will be coming home with some sort of cold or cough.
Though it's not the most pleasant sound, your little one's cough is rarely something to worry about.
They're usually caused by cold-accumulated mucus tickling the back of your tot's throat, NHS guidance states.
Coughing actually helps clear away phlegm or mucus from the back of their throat.
But there are certain red flags to keep your eyes - and ears - peeled for, as they could mean your child's cough needs medical attention.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant to Patient.info, told Sun Health: "Coughs and colds are really common among kids, particularly at this time of year. The vast majority are caused by viruses and will settle down on their own within a few days.
"However, you should seek medical help if your child is having problems breathing – this includes wheezing, very fast breathing, noisy breathing or sucking in of the skin between their ribs when they breathe in.
"Likewise, if they’re drowsy, can’t swallow even liquids or have a persistent fever, speak to a doctor."
The GP added that if your baby is under three months old, a fever above 38°C is more likely to be down to a serious infection, so you shouldn't delay seeking help.
Information pharmacist at Numark Pharmacy, Jacquie Lee broke down the nine red flags that indicate your little one's cough needs further attention.
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1. They're having difficulty breathing
Jacquie told Sun Health that "if your child's cough is severe and is accompanied by rapid or laboured breathing, wheezing, or signs of respiratory distress, parents should seek immediate medical attention".
You can spot signs of respiratory distress by looking out for something called retractions.
The is a distinctive sucking motion that appears in various parts of the body indicating your little one is having trouble drawing in air.
Keep an eye out for a tugging at the base of your child's throat, between their ribs, just below the centre of their chest or at the bottom of their ribs.
Paramedics have suggest taking a video of your tot breathing normally so you can quickly refer to it when you think something's not right.
2. Their cough sounds like a bark
"A barky sounding cough is usually caused by croup," according to Jacquie.
This is a swelling of the larynx - your little one's voice box - and trachea, their windpipe. It's is a common condition that mainly affects babies' and young children's airways.
"Most children with croup will also have stridor, which is a noisy, harsh breathing that happens when the child breathes in," the pharmacists went on.
She assured parents that mild croup does not need treatment - though a GP might prescribe steroids in severe cases.
3. They have a fever
If your little one's cough is persistent and they also have a temperature, it worth getting an urgent appointment with a GP.
Jacquie said: "A persistent cough, especially when associated with a high fever of 39°C or higher, could indicate a more severe underlying infection, such as pneumonia."
4. Their cough has lasted for weeks
"If the cough persists for more than a few weeks, it could be a sign of an underlying condition such as asthma," according to the pharmacist.
This would require "evaluation by a clinician," she advised.
5. They're coughing up blood
"Coughing up blood, even if it's just streaks of blood in mucus, is a cause for concern and parents should be signposted to a healthcare professional," Jacquie warned.
The NHS advised getting an urgent GP appointment if your little one has coughed up a few small spots or flecks, but anything more than that warrants a trip to A&E or calling 999.
6. They have chest pain
Chest pain is another red flag when it comes to coughs.
Jacquie told Sun Health: "If the child complains of chest pain while coughing, it could be a sign of a more serious condition and should be evaluated."
7. They're wheezing
Your little one wheezing could mean a few different things, from asthma to airway obstruction.
According to the pharmacist: "Wheezing, especially in younger children, can be a sign of asthma that may require regular medication or other respiratory issues such as bronchiolitis that can be treated in the short term.
"Wheezing also can happen if the lower airway is blocked by a foreign object. A child who starts to cough after inhaling something such as food or a small toy should be signposted to a doctor."
8. They're waking up at night
A cough that disrupts your little one's snooze time is definitely worth seeing a GP about, Jacquie said.
"Coughing that disrupts a child's sleep on a regular basis may be a sign of an underlying issue such as asthma and should be assessed," she explained.
9. They've been in contact with someone with tuberculosis
Finally, Jacquie warned: "If a child has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), a persistent cough may be a symptom of TB infection, and parents should seek immediate medical help."
Symptoms of TB tend to come on gradually and include:
- a cough that lasts more than three weeks – you may cough up mucus or mucus with blood in it
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a high temperature or night sweats
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- feeling generally unwell
- difficulty gaining weight or growing
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The BCG vaccine protects against TB and the NHS recommends it for babies and children.