Prolonged Cough

Most cough caused by a common cold lasts a week, but some may linger a few weeks that may make you start to worry about the prolonged cough. There are various causes of prolonged cough, including (i) a prolonged common cold（including mycoplasma infection etc.）(ii) following a previous cold (iii)asthma or asthma like cough (allergic cough) (iv) runny nose and (v)others.

  1. a prolonged common cold（including mycoplasma infection etc.）
    Infections caused by some kinds of cold viruses, bacteria, or mycoplasma etc may keep stimulating bronchial tubes to cause a prolonged cough without fever.
  2. following a previous cold
    After a previous cold, it's possible that having irritated bronchial tubes for as long as a few weeks.
  3. asthma or asthma like cough (allergic cough)
    It is seen more often among newborns or children whose bronchial immunity is poor.
  4. runny nose
    If the nose is running a lot, the nasal discharge may flow back to the throat to cause coughing.
  5. others
    There may be other causes besides (i) 〜 (v).

《Treatment》Treatment varies depending on the cause.

  1. A prolonged common cold
    Bronchodilators, antitussire, and antibiotics may be used.
  2. (ii) Following a previous cold & (iii) asthma or asthma like cough (allergic cough)
    Bronchodilators, antitussire, and antiallergic agents may be used.
  3. Case (iv)
    In this case, it is recommended to help your baby remove the nasal discharge (use a nasal aspirator) and pull the discharge out of the nose. If it is too hard to do this at home, go to see an ENT doctor.
  4. others
    Some may be required to have a blood test and a chest X-ray.

《Home Care》

  1. When having a bad cough at night, keep the child in a semi-upright position or hold upright the infant or baby.
  2. Keeping drinking small amounts of warm water or tea may help soothe a bad coughing.
  3. The phlegm piled in bronchial tubes causes badly coughing. In order to make the phlegm soft and easy to move out, it is very important to give your child enough liquids all day.
  4. Holding the coughing baby upright and patting the back (repeat doing this every a few minutes) may help move the phlegm up from bronchial tubes and soothe coughing.