Working out the cause of your child's cough can be hard even after examination by a doctor, according to Dr Lowri Kew, GP. "If your child is unwell or you’re worried, seek medical help," she advises.
Here are some of the conditions that could be causing your toddler's coughing.
Croup
Croup is usually seen in children under 2, and starts with a temperature and hoarse voice. The characteristic barking cough is worse at night.
Read more about croup, from the syptoms and cause to treatments.
Chest infections
Chest infections can affect your child at any age. Typical symptoms include a higher temperature (up to 38ºC), going off food, an increased rate of breathing and a cough.
Sinusitis
If your toddler's older, he may complain of a headache. He may have a temperature and a cough at night, as mucus drains down the throat.
Find out more about the symptoms and treatments of sinusitis.
Asthma
Asthma is more common if there’s family history of it. It doesn’t cause a high temperature unless there’s also a chest infection. Symptoms include a cough at night or wheezing with exercise.
In an acute attack, your toddler may breathe faster, cough, wheeze or draw in the skin between his ribs as he breathes.
Find out about childhood asthma, from diagnosis and treatments, to living with asthma.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough can start with a runny nose, progressing to a dry cough that occurs in bursts. After a bout of a hacking cough, your toddler will breathe in, and - if your child's older - this may sound like a whooping noise.
Expert Tip
If your child is unwell or you’re worried, seek medical help.
Dr Lowri Kew, GP
Your toddler may vomit and is likely to be exhausted. The cough may last for several months and can occur even in vaccinated children.
Read more about whooping cough symptoms, treatments and prevention.
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis usually affect babies under 6 months, although can be up to 1 year. It starts like a cold, which progresses to an irritable cough, an increased rate of breathing and difficulty feeding over 2-3 days. If your child's older, it usually just causes a cough and sore throat.
Find out more about the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of bronchiolitis.
