A cough lasting longer than 8 weeks is regarded as a prolonged cough. This is because a cough from an infection like a cold or flu will usually resolve after 2 weeks. Coughing in children can be very distressing and can interfere with daily activities.
Danger signs that indicates a serious cause of a prolonged cough
- Moist cough
- Failure to gain weight
- Presence of blood in the mucus
- Abnormal voice or crying
What are the causes of a prolonged cough
There are many causes of a prolonged cough, depending on the nature, duration and age of the child. A dry cough at night with exercise could be due to asthma. A persistent wet cough could be due to more serious conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Other causes include post nasal drip, gastro-oesophageal reflux and autoimmune diseases.
What is the treatment of a prolonged cough
Your doctor may need to do special tests to determine the cause of cough – a lung function/blowing test, allergy and blood tests, or a chest x-ray. The treatment will then be aimed at treating the underlying cause.
