Child's Relentless Cough

[citybumpkin]

DD(4) seems to be catching all the viruses this autumn/winter. We think her weak point is "the cough". Its relentless! All day and all night. It keeps both her and us awake. Sometimes she coughs so much she vomits. I took her to the GP this morning and they said it looks like an infection (given antibiotics) and the cough is due to post nasal drip.

Over the past few months (3 colds) we have tried all or a combination of honey, various cough syrups, propping her upright on a few pillows, humidifier in her room, saline nose sprays. Basically we've exhausted our weaponry against "the cough". What else can we try? Its driving her and us bonkers. HELP!

We ended up with inhalers for something called post-viral asthma or similar. Then a tablet I really didn't want but made a big difference called Montelukast. Now older she is off both but we use Benilyn night cough when she gets a cough that would keep her awake. Have also tried antihistamines (not at same time).

Thanks @HappyHedgehog247! Well after a few days respite from the cough it is back again to drive us all bonkers! Its definitely post nasal drip as DD has had a runny nose all day. The last bout of snottiness ended in antibiotics. I really don't know what else to try...apart from anti-histamines?! DD has just had some nasal spray, honey and is propped up on a few pillows. The rate this is going I'm going to have to give up work as I'm not getting much sleep

You can get liquid sudafed this really helped my dd with nasal drip coughs when little.

DS had something similar which went on forever and we ended up getting an asthma inhaler plus mild steroid nasal spray from the doctor - after two fruitless trips they finally took it seriously.

Seems to be working after exhausting everything over the counter.

@FestiveAuntFanny We've had the inhaler after the first big cold of the season and it didn't touch the cough unfortunately. Definitely a post nasal drip cough.

@nicknamehelp Might give the sudafed a try. Anything to stop the cough!

so it could be Asthma aggravated by allergies etc. then overlay with an illness. I would ask for a referral to a respiratory team who can check her chest/run tests to further investigate

Could be enlarged adenoids. Chronic cough can be a symptom. Try to get a referral to ENT if nothing else (antibiotics/inhalers etc) resolving it.