To help moisten the respiratory tract and thin mucus, use a cool mist humidifier in your child's room. Be sure to keep this equipment scrupulously clean so that bacteria do not collect in it.

See also Fever and/or Sore Throat if your child's cough is accompanied by either of these symptoms.

Coughing is not so much an illness as a symptom of illness. Many coughs are caused by allergies, colds, and the flu (see Allergies; Common Cold; Influenza). Less frequently, a cough maybe a sign of a more serious problem. A cough that comes on rapidly and is accompanied by wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing may be caused by asthma (see Asthma). A persistent, lingering cough may be a sign of bronchitis. A child whose cough has a "barking" sound may be suffering from croup. A harsh cough that comes on after a cold and is accompanied by fever, fatigue, and difficulty breathing may be a sign of bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In very rare cases, a chronic cough may be a sign of tuberculosis.

Prevention
Help your child avoid respiratory irritants and allergens, including environmental pollutants and foods to which she is sensitive. Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves can also be a source of lung irritation.

Do not expose your child to cigarette smoke. Teach your child at an early age about the dangers of smoking.

Dosage Guidelines

Diet

Herbal Medicine

Homeopathy

Bach Flowers

Acupressure

From Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Janet Zand, N.D., L.Ac., Robert Rountree, MD, Rachel Walton, RN, ©1994. Published by Avery Publishing, New York. For personal use only; neither the digital nor printed copy may be copied or sold. Reproduced by permission.