A cough is a reflex action that helps clear the airways of irritants like phlegm, dust, or smoke. Most coughs aren’t serious and often resolve on their own within 3 weeks. Coughs are typically classified as either dry (no mucus production) or chesty (produces phlegm).

Symptoms of Cough

• Dry Cough: Tickly sensation, no mucus
• Chesty Cough: Produces mucus or phlegm to clear the airways

When to Seek Medical Advice

You should speak to a healthcare professional if:

• Your child has a fever of 38°C or higher (under 3 months) or 39°C or higher (over 3 months)
• You’ve had a cough for more than 3 weeks
• You have severe coughing, breathlessness, chest pain, or cough up blood
• Symptoms worsen, you experience unexplained weight loss, or have persistent voice changes

Treatments for Cough

Self-Care and Remedies

• Rest and stay hydrated
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief (always follow instructions)
• Try honey and lemon in warm water (not for children under 1 year old)

Over-the-Counter Medications

• There’s limited evidence that cough medicines are effective
• Avoid giving over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children under 6 years old, and only use under medical advice for ages 6 to 12

Treating Underlying Causes

Addressing the specific cause of your cough may help:

• Asthma: Treated with inhaled steroids
• Allergies: Avoid allergens and use antihistamines
• Bacterial infections: Treated with antibiotics
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GORD): Antacids or medication to reduce stomach acid
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Treated with bronchodilators

Causes of a Cough

Short-Term Causes

• Upper respiratory infections (URTI): Colds, flu, sinusitis, laryngitis
• Lower respiratory infections (LRTI): Bronchitis, pneumonia
• Allergies: Rhinitis, hay fever
• Environmental irritants: Dust, smoke

Persistent Coughs

• Asthma: Often accompanied by wheezing or chest tightness
• Smoking: Can lead to COPD or chronic bronchitis
• Bronchiectasis: Widening of lung airways
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• Certain medications: ACE inhibitors used for cardiovascular disease

Rare Causes

• Lung cancer, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, or tuberculosis

Coughs in Children

Common causes include:

• Respiratory infections
• Asthma
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GORD)
• Bronchiolitis: Cold-like symptoms in younger children
• Croup: Distinctive barking cough and stridor
• Whooping Cough: Intense coughing bouts followed by a ‘whoop’ sound

Occasionally, a persistent cough can indicate a more serious condition such as cystic fibrosis.