Chronic Cough Follow-Up Guide: What Parents Need to Know

Understanding Your Child's Chronic Cough

What Is It? A chronic cough lasts more than 4 weeks. It can be dry or wet and may be caused by:

  • Post-viral illness
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Reflux (GERD)
  • Protracted bacterial bronchitis
  • Habit/tic cough (no physical cause)

Common Symptoms to Monitor

  • Cough (daytime or nighttime)
  • Congestion or sore throat
  • Cough after eating or lying down
  • Cough triggered by activity, stress, or attention
  • Associated symptoms: wheezing, fever, poor appetite

When to Manage at Home

✅ You can manage your child's chronic cough at home when:

  • Your child is still drinking fluids
  • Your child can sleep (even if interrupted)
  • No difficulty breathing between coughs
  • Your child doesn’t have a fever above 100.4°F for more than 3 days
  • Your child is still active, even if less than usual

How to Treat at Home 

🏠 Home remedies for chronic cough:

  • Cool mist humidifier
  • Warm fluids, honey (if >1 year old)
  • Saline nasal spray, hydration
  • Avoid triggers (acidic foods, allergens)
  • Behavioral tools for habit cough (distraction, sipping water)

💊 Safe Medications

  • For children >7 years old: May use OTC cough medicines, following instructions on medication label (⚠️ AVOID for children <7 years old)
  • Proton Pump Inhibitor (eg. lansoprazole, omeprazole): As prescribed for children with GERD
  • Antihistamines (eg. Cetirizine) and intranasal corticosteroids (eg. Flonase): As prescribed for children with allergic rhinitis

When to Contact Poppins 

📱 Contact us again when:

  • Cough is lasting >2 weeks
  • You’re unsure if it’s asthma, allergies, reflux, or something else
  • You need help deciding next steps or medication support
  • You're just not sure and need reassurance

When to Visit Your Pediatrician 

🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:

  • Symptoms aren't improving with initial treatment
  • Your child has underlying conditions like asthma needing closer follow-up
  • Wet cough has lasted over 4 weeks despite treatment

When to Go to the ER

🚨 Seek immediate emergency care when chronic cough is accompanied by: 

  • Labored breathing or wheezing
  • Blue lips or skin (cyanosis)
  • Coughing up blood
  • Whooping or barking sounds
  • Recent choking or breathing concerns
  • Night sweats or recent travel exposure

If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.

Need more support? Help is just a text message away.