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Coughing is an extremely troublesome symptom in a child. It usually indicates a bacterial or viral infection in your baby’s body. It is often accompanied by a sore throat, fever and runny nose. However, in some cases, a wet cough in a child appears without additional symptoms. How can we help the child then?
A wet cough is very tiring for a baby. It usually appears after a dry cough. This cough is designed to get rid of the mucus, so it cannot be stopped. A wet cough in a child can be a symptom of many diseases, so it is worth knowing its possible causes.
Wet cough in a child – characteristics
A baby’s wet cough usually appears as a consequence of a dry cough. Its task is to cleanse the respiratory tract of the residual secretions, and thus pathogenic viruses or bacteria.
A wet cough in a child is most often associated with viral and bacterial infections, e.g. during pneumonia. It can have two forms. One of them is the chronic form, which means that a wet cough in a child lasts more than 8 weeks.
The color of the cough is also important. If it is green and purulent, it may mean, for example, pneumonia or bronchitis. In contrast, in a wet cough with asthma, the secretion is colorless and sticky.
Wet cough in a child – causes
A wet cough in a child can have many causes. Most often it is:
- viral infection that develops most often in the fall and winter season;
- bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract;
- laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis or pneumonia;
- cold;
- reflux.
Wet cough in a child – no additional symptoms
If your baby also develops a fever along with a wet cough, it could be an infection. Then, chills or a sore throat may also appear.
It happens, however, that a wet cough appears without additional symptoms. Then it is much more difficult to determine the cause and treatment. This may be due to reflux, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis and pneumonia, and a foreign body trapped in the airways.
Wet cough in a child – treatment
Getting rid of a wet cough isn’t always easy. Everything depends on the correct diagnosis by the doctor. If the cause is a bacterial infection, an antibiotic is required. In addition, if the cough is extremely troublesome, the doctor also recommends medication to thin the mucus. However, expectorant syrups should be administered no later than 16.00 p.m., because later coughing may make it difficult for the child to fall asleep.
If the cause of wet cough is different, home remedies should help. Even if the cough does not stop after 3 days, you should consult a specialist.
When your baby has a wet cough, it is very important to stay hydrated so that the mucus can be expelled more easily. It is worth giving the child, for example, warm water with honey or warm milk, which will soothe the throat. You can also use For Cough – a herbal mixture for children available in a large economic package on Medonet Market.
Inhalations with saline may also help, which will also facilitate expectoration. It is also necessary to remove nasal secretions. For young children, make sure the head is higher than the rest of the body. This way, nasal secretions will not drain into the respiratory tract. It is also good to pat the child. You can also use essential oils.
Nebulization is also beneficial for coughing. Try the Nebulizer – Neno Sente Compressor Inhaler or the Neno Bene Mobile Nebulizer. You can buy both devices on Medonet Market.