Important Information

Do not give aspirin to children under 12 or to adolescents through age 15 if they have a fever. It has been associated with [Reye’s syndrome] (Link to Medline).

Its easy for young children to choke. Never give a cough lozenge to a child under three years old.

Do not give cough medications to children under two unless ordered by your doctor.

Several cold relief products formulated for children contain paracetamol. Check the label for all medications your child is taking to make sure you aren’t giving your child more than one medicine with this ingredient and exceeding the recommended dose.

When an infant less than three months old begins to cough, see your doctor right away.

Important Links

Ear, Nose and Throat specialists at Strong Health

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Coughs:

  1. What is causing my cough?
  2. What are the differences in coughs caused by the normal aftermath of a cold or flu versus:
    • Allergies?
    • Asthma?
    • Acid reflux?
    • Bronchitis or other infection?
    • Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke?
    • Other environmental pollutants?
    • Stress?
  3. I take x medication. Could it cause me to cough?
  4. How confident are you in my diagnosis?
  5. Could my cough be a symptom of a more serious condition?
    • Why or why not?
    • Should I have tests to exclude a more serious condition?
      • Bronchoscopy
      • Lung scan
      • Pulmonary function test
      • Sputum analysis
      • Chest X-ray
      • Sinus CT scan
      • Tests for reflux
  6. Are there substances or circumstances that might contribute to my symptoms?
  7. Am I contagious? If so, for how long?
  8. What are my treatment options?
    • Should I take a cough suppressant? Over-the-counter or prescription?
    • Any other medications?
    • What about vitamins or herbal preparations?
    • More questions about medication
  9. If your doctor wants you to cough to expel material from your lungs and breathing passages: What can I do to make the process go faster?
  10. How long should it take for me to feel better? Stop coughing?
  11. Under what circumstances should I call you again about my cough?
  12. Especially for infants and children:
    • What medications are specifically formulated for my child?
    • How do I keep my child from becoming dehydrated?
    • How do I make sure my child receives adequate nutrition if his or her appetite suffers from the cough?
  13. Should I consult a specialist?
  14. What will testing and/or treatment cost?