The cough in the child It is one of the main concerns of parents being one of the most frequent reasons for pediatric emergency visits, no less than 85% of visits.
It is normal that when our child has a cough we go to the doctor, but it is important to recognize the type of cough, if it is irritating or with phlegm; how you cough and when, if you do it only at night or throughout the day. The information we give to the pediatrician is essential so that he can get the diagnosis right.
According to the Spanish Society of Pediatric Pulmonology (SENP), between 6 and 10% of children have chronic cough throughout their childhood. Cough may be due to various causes. In general, it is usually an insignificant symptom that is given special attention only in certain cases.
The specialists advise to visit the pediatrician or the pulmonologist when the cough exceeds the average of 10 cough blows a day, if the cough usually appears at night, accompanied by the practice of exercise, emotional changes or with special sounds, what we know as "Whistles."
It should be the pediatrician who indicates the appropriate drug according to the type and cause of the cough, since sometimes we usually medicate the child with syrups that are of little use. In addition to drugs, there are natural solutions to which we can resort in case of cough.
Another thing to keep in mind with regard to cough in children is that it usually appears in all respiratory processes, but when it lasts for more than three weeks it is considered permanent cough or chronic cough.
We have to be aware of the cough of our children because if it becomes chronic cough it can be due to serious diseases such as respiratory infections, pulmonary malformations, asthma, aspiration of a foreign body, immunodeficiencies or passive smoking.
