You should take your child to see a doctor right away for a cough if he or she:
- has a cough that does not go away in 10 days
- has difficulty breathing or swallowing
- has a severe coughing spasm or is wheezing
- looks blue in the lips or face
- has a fever greater than 38.5°C (38°C for newborns)
- is 3 months old or younger and has a fever or has been coughing for a few hours
- makes a wheezing or musical sound when breathing
- is coughing up bloody mucous
- also has other symptoms such as irritability, lethargy, skin rash, or vomiting
Coughs usually do not require any treatment, but there are a few things you can do if your child's cough is bothersome.
Non-medication treatments
- Increase the humidity in the home. Use a cool-mist humidifier. Humidifiers moisten the throat and air passages and provide a soothing effect. Clean the humidifier daily to prevent bacteria or mould from growing on it.
- Keep your child hydrated. Make sure your child is drinking enough fluids such as water and juice.
- Give them honey. You may find this helpful in dealing with nighttime coughs if your child is over 1 year old.
Over-the-counter medications
Non-medication treatments are typically enough to cope with your child's cough. If you find that your child is having trouble sleeping or is irritable because of the cough, you can consider the following over-the-counter medications.
For children 6 years and older, they can try:*
- dextromethorphan
- This medication works by suppressing the body's cough reflex and is meant to relieve dry coughs. However, research has found that this medication has limited benefit for children.
- Since coughing is the body's way of getting ride of unwanted substances, avoid giving your child cough suppressants if he or she is coughing up mucus.
- guaifenesin
- This medication is an expectorant - it thins mucus in the airways so that it is easier to cough out.
Many cough medications are available in combination with other medications that treat other symptoms your child may or may not have. These include medications for nasal congestion, fever, or pain. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor first about which product is best for your child. Always follow the instructions on the label carefully.
What not to do
Here are some things you should not try and why:
- Do not give cough medications to children under 6 years old. Health Canada advises parents and caregivers to use non-medication treatments to cope with coughing for children of this age group.
- Do not give cough medications to children that are labeled only for adults. Talk to a health care professional first.
- Avoid steam vaporizers. They can be a burn hazard for your child.
- Don't give younger children cough lozenges or candies - they can cause choking.3
- Do not give honey to children under 1 year old. It can cause botulism, an infection that can cause paralysis or weakened muscles.
* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Coughing should generally clear up or ease up within a week, but it can persist for a couple of weeks, even after your child's cold or other infection clears up.
Take your child to the doctor if:
- the cough does not go away in 7 to 10 days
- the cough gets worse with time
