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Children Cough
Coughing child

What is a cough?

A cough is a natural body reflex, which helps a person get rid of excessive secretions, irritations, and foreign substances such as fluids and food particles from the lungs.

What causes and treatment for a cough?

A cough is usually a sign your child's body is trying to rid itself of an irritant, from mucus to a foreign object. Common causes of cough include:

  • Infection. Colds, flu, and croup can all lead to a lingering cough for kids. These viral infections are not treated with antibiotics, but can be managed with other medications.
  • Acid reflux. Symptoms in children may include coughing, frequentvomiting/spitting up, a bad taste in the mouth, and heartburn. Treatment for reflux depends on a child's age, health, and other issues. U can manage by remove trigger foods from their diet (often chocolate, peppermint, fried, spicy, fatty foods, and caffeine and carbonated drinks). Eat at least two hours before bedtime. And eat smaller meals. See your doctor if you are concerned about your child's acid reflux.
  • Asthma. wheezing cough, which may get worse at night, is one of many asthma symptoms Treatment for asthma depends on what's causing it, and may include avoiding triggers like pollution, smoke, or perfumes. See your doctor if you think yourchild has asthma symptoms.
  • Allergies/Sinusitis. Talk to your child's doctor about allergy tests to find out which allergens cause the problem, and ask for advice on how to avoid that allergen.  Your doctor may also recommend allergy medication or allergy shots.
  • Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is characterized by back-to-back coughs, followed by an inhale that has a "whooping" sound.  Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics and prevented by vaccine.
  • Other reasons children cough: A child may also cough out of habit after having been sick with a cough; after inhaling a foreign body like food or a small toy; or after exposure to irritants like pollution from cigarettes or fireplace smoke.

How do I care for a child with a cough at home?

  • Offer your child plenty of fluids.
  • Give the child half to one teaspoon of honey daily if your child is older than one year.
  • Elevate the head of his/her bed, or use a pillow at night.
  • Keep the inside of the child’s nose clean and clear by applying nasal saline. in children older than two years, you may apply vapor rubs such as Vicks® over the child’s pajama and below the chin.

When should I call my child’s doctor?

  • If the cough lasts for more than two weeks.
  • If your child has trouble breathing or is breathing fast.
  • If your child has blush lips, a bluish face, or bluish fingernails.
  • If the cough is associated with fever at 38°C for more than two days.
  • If the cough sounds like whooping or baking.
  • If the child is unable to sleep because of the cough.
  • If the child is vomiting a lot or complaining of abdominal pain.
  • If your child has asthma or thick secretions.

Does my Insurance Policy cover cough?

Yes. According to CCHI unified Policy terms and conditions, health insurance policies in Saudi Arabia cover the treatment of cough.

Please Click Here to access the Unified CCHI Policy Wordings.

References:

"Children Cough." Children's Cough: Causes and Treatments. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016.
"children cough" Rules. N.p., n.d. Web. Aug. 2016.
"Children Cough." Cough. N.p., Dec. 2012. Web. Sept. 2016.
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