Bad cough. Could it be croup or whooping cough?

[HangingInAGruffaloStance]

DD is 3.5y. She has had a runny nose for about a week and has been somewhat unwell since Saturday night.

She has a bad cough, worst at night. Very frequent bouts. At first it sounded dry and barking. Now it is a bit wet sounding. This evening she was quite upset by the coughing and was gagging and brought up a very small amount of light phlegm. I don't think I can hear any stridor or whooping noise. She is warm and a little flushed as well.

Am just a bit worried about the cough. Also would like to relieve it, both for her sake and also as we have barely slept for days!

If it's croup taking her into either cold air or hot and steamy air will help. Whooping cough is very distinctive in being exceptionally difficult for children to take air in. Blue lips, crying, extreme distress etc.

Tbh it just sounds like a viral cough but I know how upsetting it can be, especially with first children!

Final message-sorry! Does she actually have a temp? And am assuming she is first child-apologies if this is wrong.

I don't know what the symptoms of whooping cough are, but with croup the cough sound is unmistakable - sounds like a seal barking. My ds has had it countless times.

My dd (5yo), on the other hand, gets colds quite a lot, and they almost always lead to a cough which seems to last forever, and is always worst at night.

Try giving her an extra pillow so she's more upright. Vicks on her chest/back. Carvol or eucalyptus oil in bowl of hot water near her bed (out of reach). Warm towel on radiator. Window slightly open. Honey and lemon in hot water may soothe her throat a bit. Plenty of room-temperature water.

Am not a GP and obv even if I was, I wouldn't give an opinion, but if it was me, as long as there was no fever or other symptoms, I wouldn't worry unduly about it. Coughs are a pita for all, but on their own I don't think they're much to worry about.

Definitely doesn't sound like whooping cough

Seems it is obvious she is my PFB then! Have set up a bowl of hot water and will try the other ideas too.

Haggis, it doesn't always present like that. Some children have it without the 'whoop' and it's more like a persistent cough.

Hanging, it could just be a viral cough but if you're worried/the cough is lingering you can take her to the GP and they can swab for WC. Hope she feels better soon!

I would not rule out whooping cough, the gagging is part of it, even if you don't get the whoop. But docs will not diagnose if you had the jabs, even though the jabs are only 60% effective for some.

Btw, whooping cough starts with a barking cough, then turns different in the next stage.

I did have whooping cough do clearly I only remember the worst bit of it! totally agree with phoning 111 if you are worried or going to gp. I have been in twice with dc with croup and they have always been fab and reassuring.

Thanks all. She feels a bit cooler now (back to normal) and hasn't coughed for a couple of hours as far as I can tell. She is sleeping in with us so I will be able to keep a close eye on her, and contact GP if things don't seem better.

Hope you all got a good night's sleep.

Thanks she woke ip a lot, but much less coughing, so seems to be n the mend!

Good, I am glad.