Bad cough after splash park

[Cluelessmamaa]

My almost 3 year old has developed a horrible cough after playing in a splash park yesterday. She obviously got wet as she was running through the sprinkler in and out. We were in the sun as it was still nice and sunny yesterday and warm at around 20 degrees.
I would have preferred her not to go in as she’d just got over a cough from last week but I really couldn’t stop her from running through it.

My question is was it being wet and not so hot weather that made her get a cough? Or is it just the time of year and coincidence.
She did have a little cough beforehand but I feel like the water definitely made it worse, she couldn’t sleep at all and it was the kind that was making her gag. I feel awfully guilty. I had no idea that the sprinklers would be on otherwise I wouldn’t have visited that playground 😔

Coincidence

Coughs are caused by viruses and bacteria (and a few other things, none of them to do with getting wet). It's also too quick for it to be anything you DC did yesterday, they've been brewing this virus for a few days. There's always lots of colds going round as soon as the schools go back, and older siblings pass it on to the toddlers and babies, who then pass them round nurseries and playgroups!

Coincidence. I’ve got all 3 of mine down with coughs that don’t seem to be shifting and most of the kids classes are the same

As others have said, coughs are caused by virus and bacteria, not by being wet or cold

What??? She was in a splash park

Good grief!! There is absolutely nothing in OP's post to suggest any risk of that. Also read this:

Debunking Dry or Delayed/Secondary Drowning | Red Cross share.google/TVNdqkpgwTRtA0SI3

🦇💩

Thank you everyone. It has been lingering on and off for about 3 weeks now, she has just started nursery recently so I put it down to that.

I was more worried as last night she was gagging and shaking during sleep so thought it was from the water play. I haven’t seen this type of cough either her before. Thank you pp who explained about the virus/ bacteria and not getting wet, it’s definitely put my mind at ease for future water play 😅

Thanks for the link to secondary drowning info. I was very panicked before you sent the link! Fortunately I don’t believe there is any chance of that as it was only a sprinkler system but appreciate the concern @AlwaysFreezing even though your suggestion did frighten me!

How do you know if it’s a chest infection and is there any need to go to the doctors? That is if it gets worse of course.

Ah sorry, didnt mean to frighten you.

Having had a friend who went through something similar I guess I'm super tuned in to it.

Really sorry.

@AlwaysFreezing thats ok no harm done!! Im just such a worrier, I never used to be this way until I had my baby and now I worry about everything!

I did learn something new so thank you. Hope your friend is ok now x

If in doubt phone the doctor up. They’ll listen to the chest and tell you if it’s a chest infection or anything to worry about.

My DS is 4 and they’re all coughing at school (his building is ages 3-5 combined nursery and reception). It’s definitely going around. Splash park is a coincidence.

For a chest infection I’d be on the look out for coughing up mucus, high temperature, if their breathing doesn’t sound right and/or they’re overly tired and just not right in themselves. If any of that see the GP otherwise just watch and wait, it can take a while to get over even just a regular cough though.

I find the NHS website helpful for kid's illness information - it is often reassuring and balanced, but makes it clear when you should speak to your GP or get urgent help. It says on here a cough in little children can last up to 3 weeks, but if there is no temperature etc then it probably doesn't need a Dr.

Colds, coughs and ear infections in children - NHS https://share.google/mzIBgVGakrpEtn9Pe

Hope she's better soon, it's so horrible when they are poorly.

RSV and paraflu both cause very snotty, congested coughs https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/ but your toddler is old enough to be less effected I think.

Saline nose drops help thin mucus - A&E staff recommended them when my then-baby had COVID and RSV three weeks later.

However this early in the year and as an under 5, it's most likely the common cold virus - COVID is about but more in school age kids.

You're a first time parent aren't you ? Nursery's are absolute petri dishes she will get alot more over the years .
In regards to if it needs hospital treatment its usually if between the ribs just below the sternum pulls in when breathing and also the hollow of the throat , my son suffered with bronchiolitis every winter when younger .