urgent query...constant coughing - what should we do?

[tweenie]

My 1yr old ds has a bad cold, nothing unusual there, but in addition he has conjunctivitis. He also has a terrible cough and this afternoon he absolutely cannot stop coughing. It is so bad that it is making him wretch and he has already been sick twice (his entire lunch). We don't know what we should do - I assume all the phlegm from his cold is making him cough but the fact that he cannot stop is really a bit worrying. Is there anything we should do? We were considering taking him to A&E, but what could they do? Any and all advice gratefully received.

His cold may have triggered off an asthma episode - i would go to A&E just in case - my daughter used to get like this with every cold when she was younger - her asthma didnt show at any other time - good luck !

Did you go to A&E? I think I would, too.

Personally I wouldn't necessarily go to A&E if I was sure that your ds is breathing freely. My own ds has gut a horrible itchy cough after a cold and has coughed himself sick too. It's miserable for him but it happens every time he gets a cold. I'm afraid I can't suggest any cures though. We've tried just about every brand of kids cough mixture but a drink of water has more or less the same effect. Sucking honey off a spoon is nice - doesn't help but takes their mind off coughing.

Isn't chocolate meant to be more effective than cough medicine (seriously)?

Tinker I read that too, apparently the darker the better.
I have had the same problem with ds (1yr) who was coughing and coughing last week then bring up his meals, we just had to ride it out with calpol and water as nothing else helps also took him to gp who gave nosedrops to try and dry up nasal secretions which were dripping down his throat causing the cough. DD (6) started Thursday doing same but wasn't actually sick until yesterday afternoon, and is now a lot better. Thinking of you and hope things are better soon. It is a dreadful experience for all concerned.

My 2 year old has this cough- has had it for weeks and has now passed it onto me (37 + weeks pregnant and I've strained all the muscles in my side coughing and am feeling very sorry for myself). He's tending to wake retching at night a lot. I've found that sitting him up (sometimes he needs to be sat for about 40 minutes) and lots of water is helping. Homeopathy has helped him as well - but its needs to be given individually. Also a wet towel over the radiator at night so it doesn't get too dry in his room. With a one year old you need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't turn into croup or something, but as long as he's breathing OK I wouldn't worry too much. You could take him to the GP's to check his chest is clear.

hi my 10month old daughter has the same. ended up phoning nhs direct and they advised taking her to casualty. she was coughing lots, then sick , then really wheezy and looked like breathing was really difficult for her. they gave her some oxygen, and a nebulizer. its called bronchiolitis and is caused by the cold virus. because babys airways are so small they get clogged up really easily until they grow a bit bigger!. the best thing to treat it other than drugs is to elevate the head end of the babys mattress when they are asleep (put towels or something under it) ,also to put a bowl of hot water in the room with olbas oil in it. warm damp air helps, so ive got 2 wet muslin cloths on the radiator trying to humidify the room!. if they look like they are having problems breathing take them straight to hospital , or phone nhs direct for help. hope your baby is feeling better xxx

i'd try giving nhs direct a call. my 10 wk old has just had broncolitus (no idea how to spell it). I seem to remember reading on internet that conjunctivis can be one of the symptoms. My GP did say however that once they get to about 6 months ish they can usually ride it out but nhs direct would be able to give you advice.

Thanks ever so much for all the responses. DS fell asleep on me for a little while and when he woke up he was ready to play & be all happy again . He still has the cough though, but it's not constant. We're off to the GP first thing tomorrow as this sort of coughing can't be right. He's fast asleep right now, with loads of Vicks on, damp cloths on the radiators, a big bowl of steaming water with Olbas oil on his dresser and his cot's raised up. I'm off to bed now as i'm pretty sure i'm going to have a bad night...

Definitely go to see your GP or A&E for now if they provide no joy see a child friendly naturopath or homeopath in your area there is a good list on www.babydirectory.com

Hi tweenie,
same here for the past 48h.
Seen peadiatrician today and it is bronchitis and DS(8mths) need physio sessions to help clear mucus!!!!
Starting tomorow. I'm petrified. gave a prescription syrup called mucodyne to loosen mucus. He is now finally fast asleep.
Hope things better for your baby.