Cough in Children
How to Prevent Cough
When the child has need to cough, it means that his or her airway patency is compromised.

By the very act of coughing, the child releases the airways, struggling to restore normal breathing.
Cough in children
Cough in children, just like in adults, is a reflex action and occurs in response to the irritation of cough receptors found in the respiratory tract mucosa. When cough appears, it indicates that some irritation has occurred. Such irritation may be conditioned by:
- Food or objects entering the airways. These are mechanical irritants.
- Different chemical vapors, tobacco smoke… These are chemical irritants.
- Asthma or allergic rhinitis, which are allergic irritants.
- Bacterial infection and these are bacterial irritants.
- Viral infection, so we say these are viral irritants.
Viral cough in children
Cough in children mainly occurs due to a viral infection.
In such cases, cough occurs in the first days of infection, along with other symptoms. Other symptoms that accompany viral respiratory infection include: elevated or high temperature, headache, runny nose, nasal congestion.
Cough lasts up to 4 weeks after the disease
The symptoms of a viral infection are at their peak 2 to 3 days after the onset of the disease. After reaching the climax, they slowly begin to fade.
However, cough in children can continue for up to 4 weeks after a viral infection. The reason is that once the airways are inflamed, the airways need more time to clear, and this can take weeks.
Dry cough in children
Dry cough in children can occur due to various health conditions, such as asthma or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), but viral infection is the most common cause.
Symptoms that occur when the child develops a viral infection will recede quickly, mostly within a week. At that time parents certainly wonder how to prevent coughing, because, as we said before, it often lasts much longer.
This cough is usually dry. It occurs because of the irritation of the airways, which are very sensitive after a viral infection. It is difficult to treat. Basically, the airways should be given time to recover from irritation on their own. Natural medicines also help with dry cough in children.
How to prevent cough
The child struggles with cough through his or her natural mechanisms. Parents can help by regularly removing secretions from the child’s nose and moistening its mucous membrane. If you are also wondering how to prevent cough, follow these tips:
- Nasal hygiene – By maintaining nasal hygiene, you prevent complications of the disease and allow your child to breathe easier.
- Rest is important – your child’s body needs strength to fight the virus. That is why it is important that he or she rests as much as possible.
- Raise the headrest – During the night, cough irritation can disturb the child’s sleep. Raising the headrest reduces cough irritation.
- Regular fluid intake – When the child is hydrated, the sludge dilutes, making it easier for the child to cough up.
- Humidify the air – Dry air often causes cough irritation in children. Maintaining optimal humidity in the room prevents coughing.
Natural medicines for cough in children
Natural anti-viral medicines most often cause the reduction of all symptoms of a viral respiratory infection. Due to unique composition, Bimunal exhibits strong antiviral properties. The elder fruit extract associated with zinc has antiviral action, while simoultaneously boosting the immune system.
As determined after conducting a clinical study, Bimunal also affects cough reduction. The number of coughing children taking Bimunal in the course of the study during the viral infection was 30% lower than in the control group where no syrup was administered in therapy.
When to take the child to the pediatrician
There are some cases when the child should be mandatorily taken to the pediatrician for coughing:
• If the child has breathing and/or swallowing difficulties due to cough.
• If the child starts breathing fast.
• If the child’s lips, face or tongue turn blue due to coughing.
• If there is no runny nose or nasal congestion, and cough is accompanied by fever.
• If the child is under the age of three months.
• If cough suddenly starts to sound like a dog’s barking.
• If the child starts coughing up blood.
• If noisy or musical sounds occur during inhalation.
• If wheezing occurs during exhalation.
• If the child shows unusual signs of drowsiness, irritability, lethargy.
• If the child absolutely rejects fluid and food.
References:
https://patient.info/chest-lungs/cough-leaflet/cough-caused-by-a-virus
https://www.medicinenet.com/cold_flu_cough_relief_pictures_slideshow/article.htm
http://tirsova.rs/lat/kasalj/