Cough and Congestion - Neonatal Disorders

What Causes Cough and Congestion in Children?

Cough and congestion are common symptoms in children, often caused by viral infections such as the common cold or the flu. Other causes include allergies, asthma, and bacterial infections like pneumonia or sinusitis. Exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke and pollutants can also contribute to these symptoms.

When Should Parents Be Concerned?

Parents should seek medical attention if their child has a cough that lasts more than a week, is accompanied by a high fever, produces green or yellow mucus, or if the child has difficulty breathing. Persistent coughs could indicate more serious conditions such as bronchitis or whooping cough.

How is Cough and Congestion Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical history and a physical examination. The doctor may listen to the child's lungs with a stethoscope and may request additional tests like a chest X-ray or blood tests to rule out more serious conditions. In cases of suspected allergies, allergy testing may be recommended.

What are the Common Treatments?

Treatment for cough and congestion depends on the underlying cause. For viral infections, supportive care such as adequate hydration, rest, and the use of a humidifier can be beneficial. Over-the-counter medications like saline nasal drops and acetaminophen can help alleviate symptoms. For bacterial infections, antibiotics may be prescribed. In cases of asthma or allergies, appropriate medications such as inhalers or antihistamines may be necessary.

Can Cough and Congestion be Prevented?

Preventing cough and congestion involves good hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and keeping vaccinations up to date. Using air purifiers and avoiding known allergens can also help reduce the incidence of these symptoms.

Are There Any Home Remedies?

Home remedies can be effective in managing mild cases of cough and congestion. These include using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, giving the child warm fluids like honey and lemon tea (for children over one year old), and using saline nasal sprays. Ensuring the child gets plenty of rest and stays hydrated is also crucial.

When to Follow Up with a Pediatrician?

Follow-up with a pediatrician is necessary if symptoms persist despite treatment, or if new symptoms such as ear pain, persistent fever, or wheezing develop. Regular check-ups are important for children with chronic conditions like asthma or allergies to monitor their health and adjust treatment as needed.

Relevant Publications

School knowledge of infectious diseases in schools: conducting surveillance and on-demand, symptomatic respiratory viral testing in a large pre-kindergarten-12th grade school district.

Issue Release: 2024

A case with multiple nodules and mucosal oedema of the trachea and both bronchi induced by IgG4-related disease.

Issue Release: 2024

Evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging and Antimicrobial Activity of Coleus amboinicus-Mediated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.

Issue Release: 2024

Optimism as a key factor in coping with the common cold.

Issue Release: 2024

Continuous cuff pressure control on middle-aged and elderly patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection of the esophagus effect of airway injury.

Issue Release: 2024

Efficacy of Shen Cao Gan Jiang Tang on Non-severe COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial.

Issue Release: 2024

Clinical Features and Vaccination Effects among Children with Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 in Taiwan.

Issue Release: 2024

Safety and effectiveness of baloxavir marboxil and oseltamivir for influenza in children: a real-world retrospective study in China.

Issue Release: 2024

Profiles of Cough and Associated Risk Factors in Nonhospitalized Individuals With SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Infection: Cross-Sectional Online Survey in China.

Issue Release: 2024

Allergic Rhinitis: A Review.

Issue Release: 2024

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in people with cystic fibrosis.

Issue Release: 2024

Clinical features and outcomes of influenza and RSV coinfections: a report from Canadian immunization research network serious outcomes surveillance network.

Issue Release: 2024

A Retrospective Study of Covid-19 Patients: A Real-Life Experience in a Secondary Care Hospital, Jashore, Bangladesh.

Issue Release: 2024

Using targeted second-generation sequencing technique to guide clinical diagnosis and the effect of medication on the therapeutic effect and prognosis of respiratory tract infection in children: An observational study.

Issue Release: 2024

A Critically Ill Influenza A-Positive Patient With Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum, Superimposed Bacterial Pneumonia, and Bilateral Pneumothoraces.

Issue Release: 2024

Advancement in the development of mRNA-based vaccines for respiratory viruses.

Issue Release: 2024

Clinical presentations and diagnostic approaches of pediatric necrotizing tracheobronchitis with influenza A virus and Staphylococcus aureus co-infections.

Issue Release: 2024

Headaches due to Nasal and Paranasal Sinus Disease.

Issue Release: 2024

Case Report: Acute myocarditis in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Issue Release: 2024

Clinical and epidemiological profiles of pediatric COVID-19 in two private Kenyan hospitals.

Issue Release: 2024

What is the Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Care?

Why is Staff Education Important in Pediatrics?

What Are Immunization Indicators?

What Role Do School Nurses Play?

What is Wheezing?

How are Rare Genetic Disorders Treated?

What are tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs) and how do they work?

What are Pediatric Health and Wellness Programs?

Is Medscape Free to Use?

What is Pediatric Disposal?

Partnered Content Networks

Relevant Topics