You should worry about a child's cough, and seek immediate help, if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips/skin, a "whooping" sound after coughing, high fever with no runny nose, or severe lethargy; see a doctor within 24 hours for persistent coughs over 3 weeks, fever returning after being gone, or inability to keep liquids down; contact a doctor during office hours if the cough disrupts sleep or daily life, lasts over 2 weeks, or has accompanying earaches or sinus pain.
If your child has had a cough that's lasted longer than 3 weeks, see a GP. If your child's temperature is very high (or they feel hot, cold or shivery) they may have a chest infection. You should take them to a GP, or you can call 111. If they're 5 years old or over you can also get advice from 111 online.
Call your pediatrician if:
Your child has a cough combined with fast breathing. Your child has a high fever, especially if he's coughing but does not have a runny or stuffy nose. Your child can't speak normally because of coughing. Your infant (3 months or younger) has been coughing for more than a few hours.
A wet cough with a high fever (higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit) points to a more serious infection that needs medical attention. Look for increased breathing rate, too, as that can be a sign of airway trouble. It'll be more apparent when the child is asleep, as that's normally not a time they'd be breathing fast.
Pneumonia coughs can be deep, loud, and sometimes productive or wet. You can drink plenty of fluids and rest to help support recovery from pneumonia. If untreated, pneumonia may lead to complications like lung abscess or respiratory failure.
People who become infected with RSV show symptoms within four to six days after the virus enter the body. Initial signs of RSV are similar to mild cold symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, fever, cough and decrease in appetite. Very young infants may be irritable, fatigued and have breathing difficulties.
Some signs that you may need to go to urgent care with your cough include:
The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a cold, such as a runny nose, red and watery eyes, a sore throat, and a slightly raised temperature. Intense coughing bouts start about a week later. The bouts usually last a few minutes at a time and tend to be more common at night.
Viral infections often develop gradually, such as a cold that starts with a scratchy throat and progresses to a cough and congestion. Bacterial infections, however, tend to appear suddenly and with more intensity. For example, strep throat can cause a severe sore throat and high fever that comes on quickly.
You should see a doctor if your cough brings up yellowish-green phlegm or blood. A cough that doesn't produce mucus is called a dry or nonproductive cough. Acute cough is the least serious type of cough. It only lasts for three weeks or less and will most likely clear up on its own.
Children also should be evaluated by their health care team if they have a persistent cough lasting longer than 14 days without improvement, or if new or worsening symptoms develop. Illnesses that begin as viral infections can lead to a secondary bacterial infection requiring antibiotics.
Kids with bacterial pneumonia usually get sick quickly and have a high fever, cough, rapid breathing and maybe even chest pain with breathing. Viral pneumonia symptoms tend to appear more slowly and may be less severe, though you can see fever and cough from viruses too. Wheezing is more common in viral pneumonia.
Signs and symptoms of a chest infection
coughing up yellow or green phlegm (thick mucus), or coughing up blood. breathlessness or rapid and shallow breathing. wheezing. a high temperature (fever)
Walking pneumonia symptoms to look for:
Early symptoms of pertussis (whooping cough) can look like a common cold. Whooping cough is known for the "whoop" noise when someone gasps for air after a coughing fit. Babies and young children may not cough but may have difficulty breathing instead.
Overview: This kind of cough sounds wet because it brings up mucus. More commonly known as a “productive” cough, it can be “acute,” lasting less than three weeks, or “chronic,” lasting up to several months. A wet cough is a normal symptom of: a cold or flu.
Key points. There are three stages of clinical pertussis: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent. Clinical presentation, complications, and risk of death can differ based on age and vaccination status.
Signs and symptoms:
Particularly in the context of the above risk factors and cough, associated red flag symptoms and signs for significant disease include: Weight loss. New coughs lasting over three weeks. Unexplained haemoptysis, particularly if recurrent or persisting. Breathlessness.
Seek emergency care if you suspect something is lodged in your child's throat or if your child's cough is accompanied by:
Early signs of pneumonia often mimic cold or flu but worsen, including fever, chills, cough (with or without mucus), fatigue, and shortness of breath, sometimes with chest pain, rapid breathing, headache, and loss of appetite, notes Healthdirect, Better Health Channel, American Lung Association, and Mayo Clinic. In older adults, confusion or disorientation can be a key sign, while infants might show restlessness or feeding difficulties, say Healthdirect, Mayo Clinic, and WebMD.
When symptoms of bronchiolitis first occur, they are usually similar to that of a common cold. Runny nose, fever, stuffy nose, loss of appetite and cough are the first signs of the infection. Symptoms may worsen after a few days and may include wheezing, shortness of breath, and worsening of the cough.
4 ways to tell you have RSV, not a cold.