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Coughing is a very common and annoying symptom amongst children, especially young ones. In most cases, cough is always triggered at nighttime resulting in sleepless nights for kids and mothers. Cough is a symptom of many diseases, some of them are related to the respiratory system. We include in this article the major causes of coughing in children. It’s important to diagnose the cause of the cough to give the child the needed treatment and precautions.
Major causes of cough in children
- COVID-19
- Viral infections
- Bronchial asthma
- Allergic sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Swallowing a foreign object
- Reflux
COVID-19
Via: The Baton Rouge Clinic – Causes of Coughing In Children
Nowadays due to the anxiety and fear of the pandemic, COVID-19 is the first thing that comes to a mother’s mind when her child coughs. Although the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention stated that cough is one of the common symptoms of COVID-19, it noted that cough can be a symptom of other common illnesses.
Viral infections
Via: The Citizen – Causes of Coughing In Children
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology stated that after having a viral respiratory infection, a child can suffer from cough than can last for weeks. This happens because kids are unable to blow their noses, so the charges move downwards towards the pharynx and throat causing cough.
Bronchial Asthma
Via: Times of India – Causes of Coughing In Children
Bronchial asthma is a major cause of cough. A wheezing cough, which may get worse at night, is one of many asthma symptoms. The other may be a cough that appears with increased physical activity and during play. Treatment of asthma may include avoiding triggers like pollution, smoke, or perfumes.
Allergic sinusitis
Via: iStock – Causes of Coughing In Children
Allergic sinusitis can cause a lingering cough, as well as an itchy throat, runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat, or rash. Allergens differ from one child to another and should be stated by your child’s doctor. Allergens can include food, pollen, pet dander, and dust.
Sore throat
Via: Harvard Health Publishing – Causes of Coughing In Children
Children between 3 to 15 years old are more likely to develop sore throat, specifically strep throat, the most common bacterial infection associated with a sore throat. One of the symptoms that are resulted from the infection is cough. The best way to protect your child from sore throats is to avoid the germs that cause them and practice good hygiene through the below tips:
- Let your child wash his hands frequently after using the toilet, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing.
- Don’t let your child share food, drinks, or utensils with anybody.
- Teach your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away or into his elbow when he doesn’t have a tissue.
- Don’t let him in close contact with sick people.
Swallowing a foreign object
Via: WebMD – Causes of Coughing In Children
According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, it’s very common in crawling toddlers to swallow small objects in their mouths. It can cause a cough to persist for many weeks to months until it is discovered.
Reflux
Via: Cuddlers – Causes of Coughing In Children
Reflux symptoms in children may include coughing, frequent vomiting, spitting up, a bad taste in the mouth, and heartburn. There are some foods that might trigger reflux like chocolate, peppermint, fried, spicy, and fatty foods. A pediatrician should be consulted in reflux cases to decide the needed treatment based on the child’s age and health.
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