“How do I know if my daughter's cough is serious?”
My daughter is 10 years old. She has had a cough for 3 days already. How do I know if my daughter's cough is serious?
7 Answers
If accompanied by fever or distress, it could be. Seek help.
Check for temp, SOB, color changes, cough, blood.
Dr. Bin S. Sung
Pediatrician
Persistent cough for a few minutes at a time with a few seconds rest in between coughing spells, especially if struggling to breathe.
Is she breathing fast? Does she seem to be working hard to breath or struggling to catch her breath? Is it non-stop coughing? Can you hear wheezing with her breathing? Is she not able to perform usual activities because of trouble breathing and her cough? These are all worrisome issues.
If it's associated with fever, not eating, and not sleeping, then you need to get medical attention.
Most coughs in otherwise healthy children are part of common upper respiratory tract infections and are not serious. The type of cough, how long s/he has had it, what other symptoms are associated, are all important clues. Your pediatrician can help you learn when you need to be concerned.
Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP
Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP
Most cases are self limiting and viral. But with Corona 19 virus now circulating, must be more observant. Fever, purulent sputum, shortness of breath are more concerning. Best to see your pediatrician
