A Child's Winter Cough
What do you do if your child has a cough that won't go away? CBS This Morning Health Correspondent Dr. Emily Senay helps answer that question.
Small children contract anywhere from 6 to 12 coughs each winter. Occasionally, they are accompanied by a lingering cough that may be persistent but is totally harmless. Kids get post-nasal drip. It may be worse than an adult's because their nasal passages drain differently and they don't cough as effectively.
Here are some things you can do to help:
- Slip an extra pillow under the child's head to help drainage during the night.
- Invest in a good humidifier, and keep it clean.
- Talk to your doctor about over-the-counter cough medicines or an antihistamine.
- Take your child to the doctor if the cough is accompanied by a fever, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, or if the cough lasts for more than 2 weeks. A persistent cough may be a symptom of bronchitis, asthma, or allergies.
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