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KidsCare Online

Does this describe your symptom?

  
  • A cough is the sound made when the cough reflex suddenly expels air and secretions from the lungs.
  • A coughing spasm is over 5 minutes of continuous coughing.
    Causes
  • Most are part of a cold, a viral infection of the large airway (viral bronchitis).
  • Other common causes: croup, asthma, allergic cough.
    Mucus,Sputum or Phlegm
  • Mucus--the normal slippery secretions which moistens and protects the respiratory passages.

  • Sputum or phlegm--infected mucus in abnormal amounts due to illness within the respiratory system.

  • Yellow or green phlegm is a normal part of the healing process of viral bronchitis. Coughing brings up the green or yellow phlegm which is the lining of the trachea (windpipe) damaged by the viral infection as new mucosa replaces it.

  • Antibiotics are not necessary for the yellow or green phlegm seen with colds or other viral respiratory infections. Typically, bacteria are not the reason for bronchitis in otherwise healthy children.
  • The main treatment of a productive cough from sputum or phlegm is to help it along with good fluid intake, a humidifier (if the air is dry) and--if over the age of 1--warm chicken broth or apple juice for coughing spasms.

    Return to School

  • Your child can return to day care or school after the fever is gone and your child feels well enough to participate in normal activities. For practical purposes, the spread of coughs and colds cannot be prevented.

If not, see these other symptoms

  • If barky cough and hoarseness, see CROUP
  • If has asthma symptoms, see ASTHMA ATTACK
  • If wheezing but no previous diagnosis of asthma, see WHEEZING
  1. Should I Call?
  2. Care at Home

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000-2008. Barton D. Schmitt, MD
Reviewed/Modified: Sept 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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