A cough is a common symptom of illness, usually caused by a viral infection. Most children can catch a viral infection that causes a cough several times a year, and it is typically not serious. Although coughs often sound bad, keep in mind that coughing is a good reflex that clears out the airways in the lungs and protects your child from getting pneumonia.
At Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care, we are happy to evaluate your child’s cough.
Call IMMEDIATELY if:
Your child is breathing rapidly or with difficulty, even when they are not coughing.
Your child appears very ill or unusually drowsy.
Call during office hours if:
If urgent care is needed outside of regular office hours, visiting a pediatric urgent care can provide timely evaluation and treatment for your child’s symptoms.
Croup is a common respiratory condition in children that causes a distinctive “barky” or seal-like cough, often accompanied by a hoarse voice and noisy, harsh breathing when your child inhales. It usually results from swelling around the vocal cords and windpipe.
If your child shows signs of croup, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, or persistent coughing, our team at Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care can provide a thorough evaluation and immediate treatment to help ease symptoms.
Coughs in children can vary in duration depending on the cause. For common colds or mild respiratory infections, a cough typically lasts between 2 to 3 weeks as the airways recover and clear out mucus.
However, if the cough lasts longer than 3 weeks, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, fever, or coughing up blood, it’s important to seek care at a kids urgent care for further evaluation.
To help manage your child’s cough at home:
Keep them well-hydrated with water, warm fluids, or soup to soothe the throat and loosen mucus.
For children over 4, you can offer cough drops or lozenges to reduce throat irritation
Avoid any exposure to cigarette smoke, which can worsen coughing and irritate the airways.
Use a cool mist humidifier in their room to ease breathing and reduce throat dryness.
If your child’s cough lasts longer than a few days, becomes more severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms like wheezing, fever, or difficulty breathing, visit a walk in pediatrician clinic near you to get your little one back to feeling better!
