Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

dd (6) is coughing and coughing and coughing : (

26 replies

Noellefielding · 02/12/2014 09:55

no fever, no gunk coming up, but it doesn't seem to be getting better.
Am I right that they don't rec. cough mixture anymore? Because of efficacy stats or something?
How long should I child have a cough that doesn't change before I should think about the gp?
Thanks

OP posts:
gingertreat · 02/12/2014 10:52

is the cough dry or wet? How long ago it has started?
Is your child on any medication?

MrsSquirrel · 02/12/2014 11:10

You are right about cough mixture, it's not recommended for children any more.

IIWY I would be taking her to the GP. You say it doesn't seem to be getting better and are worried enough to be posting here. If it's something that needs addressing, the GP will be in a position to help. If it's just something that will run its course, the GP can put your mind at rest.

Original poster
Noellefielding · 02/12/2014 13:33

Thanks, it's over a week, It's more wet than dry but she's not coughing up anything. She is not feverish at all and the class is full of it the teacher and other mothers say.

She's not on any medication and is otherwise well.

I have to say it is so depressingly difficult to get a gp appointment (you have to call at 8 am and all the appointments go in a few minutes) I am never free at 8 I am in transit between two schools and the station.

I could take her out of school and go and q in the drop in surrounded by hacking sick people but that always feels really stupid unless critically ill but not ill enough for a&E.

I feel like a few more days and then I will face the grimness of accessing a gp appointment!

OP posts:
gingertreat · 02/12/2014 14:58

Cough is in fact good symptoms of self cleansing of the lungs.
Her lungs have cumulated excess of mucus which her system is trying to get rid of it. You can speed up the clearing process and that would mean you will get to the bottom of her problem.
To do so - cook for her warm food, lamb broth, soups, veg. potatoes puree with spices.
For time being avoid giving any fruits, raw salads or sugar or cold water.
You could also make her a ginger drink ( on mag of boiling water add bit of ginger powder or fresh ginger and boil for 5 min). You can add bit of honey. This will help to warm up the system and should ease the cough.

Original poster
Noellefielding · 02/12/2014 18:23

Thank you so much gingert I will see which of those madam will accept, very kind of you.

OP posts:
NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 02/12/2014 18:45

My dd is the same, apparantly half her class are off with the same virus, and the rest are coughing their way through the school day.

Bigbouncingbaby · 02/12/2014 18:49

We have all had 'the cough' think everyone has lasts for weeks . I find the best thing is eucalyptus or obas oil in hot water in their rooms at night it really works. By day keep them warm etc but it really is just time. Plenty of fluids .

Doctor s won't do anything as its a virus :(

Shockingundercrackers · 02/12/2014 18:53

Wish my bloody GP wouldn't do anything for an obvious viral cough!

My DH took DS (5) and came back with a course of antibiotics (which unfortunately he'd already started, otherwise if have chucked it in the bin). Hmm

ReallyBadParty · 02/12/2014 18:54

My ds was prescribed an inhaler for a cough that wouldn't go away after a virus, and that really helped him.

Monathevampire1 · 02/12/2014 19:03

I've had 'the cough' for the last three weeks, its exhausting. I've found a simple honey and lemon 'cough' syrup really helpful. I know it won't cure anything but it does ease my throat for a bit.

RockinHippy · 02/12/2014 19:22

A small teaspoon of honey is medically proven to be a very effective cough medicine, no nasties in it & easy to get them to take it to.

This, plus Vicks, or a similar menthol rub, rubbed onto the soles of the feet & covered with docks, will help get get a good nights sleep, which will help her body fight the virus & shake of the cough quicker.

Home made broth is goood, though I would have thought chicken was better as its a less fatty meat, sorry, but I disagree with cutting out fruit though, it's a good source of the vitamins & minerals she needs to boost her immune system - strawberries for example have both zinc & vitamin C, both good for boosting the immune system

Ginger is good, I make a drink of fresh lemon juice, honey and ginger with hot water & sip this, it's very soothing for the throat & warming too

Hope she is better soon

RockinHippy · 02/12/2014 19:37

Socks, not docks - damned autocorrect Grin

& my DD was given an inhaler for a persistent cough at a similar age too, though it did cause her a bit of tummy trouble, so not ideal, but good if nothing else helps

Babiecakes11 · 02/12/2014 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LemonySnug · 02/12/2014 21:41

If the cough is very bad and persistent, have you considered that it may be whooping cough?

gingertreat · 03/12/2014 09:48

Chicken in its nature has cooling properties, therefore - chicken broth will have cooling effect, even if after having it you feel very hot. In longer period of time - in results - is cooling. That's way, if we want to eliminate cough or flu, we say NO to chicken.
Also fresh fruits have cooling effect. If In our interest is to get rid of the cause of cold and cough without taking medication - then we should avoid cold type of food product. By the way, all medications eliminate the symptoms and not the cause of the problem.

mrstowers · 03/12/2014 19:31

I would take her to the gp just to make sure it's not asthma.

Original poster
Noellefielding · 04/12/2014 12:23

Thanks for all this advice, I'm giving her neurone for cold and flu as she has a blocked up nose and some cough mixture (she hates it) but I haven't tried vicks.

Maddeningly the boiler is broken so the house is really cold, she is warm once she's in her bed but I feel like I'm just not caring for her. The plumber is hoping I think to get to us for Monday, I'm feeling so cold and sorry for myself but it's ok, we'll be alright. But listening to her cough is a bit Dickensian....

OP posts:
Original poster
Noellefielding · 04/12/2014 12:24

Neurofen, sorry.

I hadn't thought of asthma (slightly despairing emoticon) I carry that gene but had eczema not the asthma. How do they diagnose asthma? Is it straightforward?

OP posts:
ParisWhenItSizzles · 04/12/2014 12:28

Is it worse at night? If so, try getting her to sleep propped up on extra pillows behind her back, so she's in a semi sitting position. I am asthmatic & have to do this after every cold/virus as laying down immediately makes the coughing worse.

barcoda · 04/12/2014 12:28

dd3 (8) had a cough for nearly 3 weeks

she wasn't ill, just persistent coughing worse at night

I am afraid to say a couple of days ago she wanted to go swimming so I gave her a puff of her sister's ventolin inhaler. She had another puff after swimming.

Two days later.. no more cough.

ReallyBadParty · 04/12/2014 12:29

I am not sure you should give Nurofen Cold and flu to children...??

I really think you should take her to the doctor. It is possible to need an inhaler after a virus even if not diagnosed as asthmatic.

ParisWhenItSizzles · 04/12/2014 12:30

Not necessarily straightforward. Typically wheezing - but I rarely wheeze, only in cold air or after exercise (ha!), my main symptom is the ceaseless coughing.

Showy · 04/12/2014 12:31

Sadly a week with a viral cough is nothing. Dd and ds both have it atm and are well mostly. Just bunged up and coughing. Both on the mend but I know the cough is the last bit to go. School playground is like an Olympic village with them all training for the 100m Cough.

There is a cough medicine with an active ingredient. I only use it at night and only when the cough is at its peak and dd just isn't sleeping due to the constant coughing. It is 6+ and called Benylin Night Cough iirc. It dries up mucous which stops the drip which reduces coughing.

barcoda · 04/12/2014 12:32

nurofen cold and flu is NOT recommended for children under 12 Shock

dont give her that, doesnt it have pseudoephedrine in it??