How long would you leave a cough?

[froglet99]

In a 3 year old if they are otherwise well? Toddler has had a bad cough for over a week now. Had one day of being very unwell with a temperature and general fatigue/being very unhappy but then they were fine again. However the cough and runny nose has persisted.

Absolutely fine within themselves. Eating well, playing and happy as Larry. But the cough is bad at night and first thing in a morning.

Spoke to a nurse practitioner on the phone who said to get back in touch if there were signs of a chest infection (temperature, off their food, not weeing and generally unwell). I’m not sure if it’s a bug or hay fever at this stage.

Going into week two of the cough now and wondering if they need antibiotics (although ideally like to avoid if possible).

Residual coughs are very common and harmless for most children, they sound worse than it is usually.
I would wait until the end of week two and if it's the same book an appointment to check for the development of asthma or chest infection.

Use your gut instinct. Do you think this is more than just a cough or do you think it could be an infection?

From what you’ve said, I wouldn’t be too concerned. A cough in my opinion can last a couple of weeks after being initially poorly. My son has had croup many times and after his initial week of being poorly his cough can last up to 3 weeks.

Worse at night and morning is very common with a cough.

If it still persisted after a month I'd get a doctor to listen to their chest.

A cough that lasts a couple of weeks in a child is normal.

Thank you. This is what my gut tells me but you can never be too careful with little ones can you. It does sound awful but because she’s fine in herself I don’t think it’s an infection.

Have you tried using one of them calpol vapour plug ins or anything like that? I feel like they do help my sons cough and it clears their throat a bit for them