Dr. Charu Palta (India)-Pediatrician Click here for more information.

With the ongoing change in seasons, one sound we hear more than we'd actually want to is the sound of our kids coughing. Let's answer some questions about this annoying sound.

What is a cough?
It's actually a symptom indicating an irritation in the body's air passages. When the nerve endings in the throat, windpipe or lungs sense the irritating stimulus they initiate a reflex, causing air to be forcefully ejected through the passageways in order to clear them.

What can cause a cough in children?
• Upper respiratory infection- when it's associated with a runny nose, sore throat, swollen glands, pain on swallowing, fever etc.
• Bronchiolitis- seen more commonly in infants, it usually starts as a cold, but baby starts breathing faster and with more obvious effort.
• Croup- the cough is characteristically like a bark and sometimes it is associated with noisy breathing.
• Flu- its symptoms are fever (usually above 38.3C), chills, body ache and tiredness.
• Pneumonia- its symptoms are high fever, rapid and labored breathing.
• Sinusitis- its symptoms are headache, runny nose and facial swelling.
• Asthma- it's a chronic or long lasting cough which can be worse at night/ following exercise/ contact with a trigger, and may be associated with wheezing.
• Inhaling a foreign body- the cough has an abrupt onset usually after an episode of choking.

When should I call a pediatrician?
• Cough lasts longer than a week.
• Makes it difficult for the child to breathe.
• Is painful/ persistent/ accompanied with a whoop.
• Appears suddenly and associated with fever.
• Begins after the child chokes on something.

What precautions can I take?
As most of the avoidable causes in children are either infectious or allergic
• Prevent respiratory infections.
1. Washing hands more frequently especially after meeting someone with an infection or in public places.
2. Getting the flu vaccine especially children and their contacts.
3. Don't send sick children to school or daycare.
4. Avoid exposure to in
• Avoid active and passive smoking.
• Reduce your child's exposure to potential allergens like indoor mould, cockroaches, animal dander and dust mites.
• Consider installing air purification systems at home.