🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 65 (from laksa130)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa065.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/chronic-cough\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/chronic-cough\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/chronic-cough","crawl_time":1775205588,"first_indexed_time":1571374162,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,childrens!www,\/specialties-services\/conditions\/chronic-cough s443","src_root_hash":"5870899331078892865","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Pediatric chronic cough - Children's Health Pulmonology","meta_descriptions":["Pediatric chronic coughs can be caused by a number of factors and illnesses. Our team helps get to the root of the problem. Learn more from Children's Health."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"When your child has a cough that doesn’t seem to go away, Children’s Health℠ experts are here to help you get to the bottom of it. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms in children. A cough is considered chronic when it lasts more than four weeks.\nOverview\nWhat is a pediatric chronic cough?\nA cough is a reflex to clear the airways of irritants, infections or mucous in the respiratory tract. While it’s not unusual to have a cough multiple times throughout the year, when it interferes with everyday activities and\/or sleep or lasts more than a month, your child’s pediatrician will want to find out the root cause.\nTypes\nWhat are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs?\nCoughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them.\nWet cough\n- A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract.\nDry cough\n- A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by\ncroup\n(a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords),\nallergies\nor\nacid reflux\n. Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark.\nDiagnosis\nHow are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed?\nYour child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes.\nThe provider will want to know:\nHow it sounds\nHow long it's been going on\nWhat triggers it or makes it better\nWhen it occurs\nWhether it's been treated yet with any medications\nWhether someone in the house smokes\nCauses\nWhat are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough?\nViral infections\n, including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial\nbronchitis\nand\nsinusitis\n, can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons.\nWhooping cough (pertussis)\nis another infection that can cause a chronic cough.\nPertussis\nis characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue.\nAsthma\n - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies).\nAllergies\n - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander.\nGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)\n - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal.\nIrritants\n- Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children.\nPneumonia\n - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray.\nForeign body\n - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung.\nHabit cough\n- a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough.\nOther illnesses\n- In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as\ncystic fibrosis (CF)\nor other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely.\nAge\n- The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause.\nYounger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract.\nFor older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages.\nTreatment\nHow is a pediatric chronic cough treated?\nTreatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home. \nMedications\nmay include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow.\nBronchoscopy\n- Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway.\nOther\n- Our pulmonary specialists\nrarely\nrecommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits.\nFor children\nover\nage 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough.\nFrequently Asked Questions\nCan a chronic cough be cured?\nWill my child be able to live a normal life?","attrs_markdown":"- [Book Appointment](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/request-an-appointment)\n- [Emergency Care](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/specialty-centers-and-programs\/emergency-room-er)\n- [Urgent Care](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/specialty-centers-and-programs\/urgent-care)\n- [Specialty Care](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/search?category=programs-specialties)\n- [Primary Care](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/primary-care)\n- [Pharmacy](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/outpatient-pharmacies)\n- [Find a 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Innovation\n\nLearn\n\nGive\n\nI Want To\n\n[All Conditions](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions)\n\n# Pediatric chronic cough\n\nOverview\n\nTypes\n\nDiagnosis\n\nCauses\n\nTreatment\n\nProviders (17)\n\nFAQs\n\nWhen your child has a cough that doesn’t seem to go away, Children’s Health℠ experts are here to help you get to the bottom of it. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms in children. A cough is considered chronic when it lasts more than four weeks.\n\nOverview\n\n## What is a pediatric chronic cough?\nA cough is a reflex to clear the airways of irritants, infections or mucous in the respiratory tract. While it’s not unusual to have a cough multiple times throughout the year, when it interferes with everyday activities and\/or sleep or lasts more than a month, your child’s pediatrician will want to find out the root cause.\n\nTypes\n\n## What are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs?\nCoughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them.\n\n- **Wet cough** - A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract.\n- **Dry cough** - A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by [croup](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/croup) (a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords), [allergies](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/allergy) or [acid reflux](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease). Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark.\n\nRead More\n\n## What are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs?\nCoughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them.\n\n- **Wet cough** - A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract.\n- **Dry cough** - A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by [croup](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/croup) (a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords), [allergies](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/allergy) or [acid reflux](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease). Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark.\n\nDiagnosis\n\n## How are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed?\nYour child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes.\n\n**The provider will want to know:**\n\n- How it sounds\n- How long it's been going on\n- What triggers it or makes it better\n- When it occurs\n- Whether it's been treated yet with any medications\n- Whether someone in the house smokes\n\nRead More\n\n## How are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed?\nYour child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes.\n\n**The provider will want to know:**\n\n- How it sounds\n- How long it's been going on\n- What triggers it or makes it better\n- When it occurs\n- Whether it's been treated yet with any medications\n- Whether someone in the house smokes\n\nCauses\n\n## What are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough?\n- **Viral infections**, including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial [bronchitis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/bronchitis) and [sinusitis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/sinusitis), can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons.\n- **Whooping cough (pertussis)** is another infection that can cause a chronic cough. [Pertussis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/health-wellness\/pertussis-can-be-fatal-to-your-child-everyone-should-get-vaccinated) is characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue.\n- [Asthma](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/asthma) - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies).\n- [Allergies](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/allergy) - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander.\n- [Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease) - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal.\n- **Irritants** - Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children.\n- [Pneumonia](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/pneumonia) - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray.\n- [Foreign body](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/esophageal-foreign-bodies) - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung.\n- **Habit cough** - a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough.\n- **Other illnesses** - In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as [cystic fibrosis (CF)](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/cystic-fibrosis) or other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely.\n- **Age** - The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause.\n  - Younger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract.\n  - For older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages.\n\nRead More\n\n## What are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough?\n- **Viral infections**, including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial [bronchitis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/bronchitis) and [sinusitis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/sinusitis), can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons.\n- **Whooping cough (pertussis)** is another infection that can cause a chronic cough. [Pertussis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/health-wellness\/pertussis-can-be-fatal-to-your-child-everyone-should-get-vaccinated) is characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue.\n- [Asthma](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/asthma) - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies).\n- [Allergies](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/allergy) - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander.\n- [Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease) - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal.\n- **Irritants** - Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children.\n- [Pneumonia](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/pneumonia) - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray.\n- [Foreign body](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/esophageal-foreign-bodies) - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung.\n- **Habit cough** - a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough.\n- **Other illnesses** - In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as [cystic fibrosis (CF)](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/cystic-fibrosis) or other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely.\n- **Age** - The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause.\n  - Younger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract.\n  - For older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages.\n\nTreatment\n\n## How is a pediatric chronic cough treated?\nTreatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home.\n\n- **Medications** may include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow.\n- **Bronchoscopy** - Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway.\n- **Other** - Our pulmonary specialists rarely recommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits.\n\nFor children **over** age 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough.\n\nRead More\n\n## How is a pediatric chronic cough treated?\nTreatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home.\n\n- **Medications** may include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow.\n- **Bronchoscopy** - Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway.\n- **Other** - Our pulmonary specialists rarely recommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits.\n\nFor children **over** age 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough.\n\n## Doctors and Providers\n- [![FC avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F6eb1ea6478ddf45d%2Foriginal%2Fpwoodmmj-opv-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Folashade Catherine AfolabiPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/folashade-catherine-afolabi)\n- [![EB avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F2309e4f0e762ef1b%2Foriginal%2Felisa-basora-rovira.jpg&w=96&q=75)Elisa Basora RoviraPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/elisa-basora-rovira)\n- [![MJ avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F4f608302222b4925%2Foriginal%2F1tsifyva-l1a-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Michelle Jean Brock CaraballoPediatric Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/michelle-jean-brock-caraballo)\n- [![SC avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F36960c1033e07aa9%2Foriginal%2Fxwompmr1-b1v-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Steven Craig CopenhaverPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/steven-craig-copenhaver)\n- [![AS avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F5202d56eabf75229%2Foriginal%2Fy1oep4wl-yti-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Andrew Scott GelfandPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/andrew-scott-gelfand)\n- [![PM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F78df68ec5d723a9c%2Foriginal%2Faawek2ir-bsc-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter M LuckettPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/peter-m-luckett)\n- [![TM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F335fe77b30ba0589%2Foriginal%2Frojattws-k4w-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Tanya Milagros Martinez FernandezPediatric Pulmonologist\/Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/tanya-milagros-martinez-fernandez)\n- [![SK avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F1044100330afe70f%2Foriginal%2Fnplyu5nx-tnm-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Syed Kamal M NaqviPediatric Pulmonologist\/Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/syed-kamal-m-naqvi)\n- [![DR avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2Fe1570c3d2eccf54%2Foriginal%2Fsttngylo-4vq-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Devika Radhika RaoPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/devika-radhika-rao)\n- [![YM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F29b71071bd839293%2Foriginal%2Fg2fc0mns-h4c-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Yadira Milagros Rivera SanchezPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/yadira-milagros-rivera-sanchez)\n- [![PK avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F7b1c7e4f746c4c29%2Foriginal%2Fkgupzivu-mvb-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Pravin Kumar SahPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/pravin-kumar-sah)\n- [![PN avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F3ec07a4f64ac23f1%2Foriginal%2Frwa0vbxe-4dk-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter Norman SchochetPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/peter-norman-schochet)\n- [![PB avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F8ce601bfff0e478%2Foriginal%2Fan2vpdwf-uf2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Preeti B SharmaPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/preeti-b-sharma)\n- [![KA avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F573060787b8403d7%2Foriginal%2Fwyok3arq-xf5-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Kathryn Ann MartinezPhysician Assistant - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/kathryn-ann-martinez)\n- [![SM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F331fcbecb1789ffd%2Foriginal%2Ff5m4kt31-0k0-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Sharon Marie FuentesNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/sharon-marie-fuentes)\n- [MEMaria Elena RodriguezNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/maria-elena-rodriguez)\n- [![PA avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F383af12b3cef5c58%2Foriginal%2F04sus1vl-0s2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Prigi Anu VargheseNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/prigi-anu-varghese)\n\nRead More\n\n- [![FC avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F6eb1ea6478ddf45d%2Foriginal%2Fpwoodmmj-opv-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Folashade Catherine AfolabiPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/folashade-catherine-afolabi)\n- [![EB avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F2309e4f0e762ef1b%2Foriginal%2Felisa-basora-rovira.jpg&w=96&q=75)Elisa Basora RoviraPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/elisa-basora-rovira)\n- [![MJ avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F4f608302222b4925%2Foriginal%2F1tsifyva-l1a-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Michelle Jean Brock CaraballoPediatric Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/michelle-jean-brock-caraballo)\n- [![SC avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F36960c1033e07aa9%2Foriginal%2Fxwompmr1-b1v-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Steven Craig CopenhaverPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/steven-craig-copenhaver)\n- [![AS avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F5202d56eabf75229%2Foriginal%2Fy1oep4wl-yti-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Andrew Scott GelfandPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/andrew-scott-gelfand)\n- [![PM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F78df68ec5d723a9c%2Foriginal%2Faawek2ir-bsc-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter M LuckettPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/peter-m-luckett)\n- [![TM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F335fe77b30ba0589%2Foriginal%2Frojattws-k4w-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Tanya Milagros Martinez FernandezPediatric Pulmonologist\/Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/tanya-milagros-martinez-fernandez)\n- [![SK avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F1044100330afe70f%2Foriginal%2Fnplyu5nx-tnm-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Syed Kamal M NaqviPediatric Pulmonologist\/Sleep Medicine](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/syed-kamal-m-naqvi)\n- [![DR avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2Fe1570c3d2eccf54%2Foriginal%2Fsttngylo-4vq-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Devika Radhika RaoPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/devika-radhika-rao)\n- [![YM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F29b71071bd839293%2Foriginal%2Fg2fc0mns-h4c-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Yadira Milagros Rivera SanchezPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/yadira-milagros-rivera-sanchez)\n- [![PK avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F7b1c7e4f746c4c29%2Foriginal%2Fkgupzivu-mvb-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Pravin Kumar SahPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/pravin-kumar-sah)\n- [![PN avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F3ec07a4f64ac23f1%2Foriginal%2Frwa0vbxe-4dk-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter Norman SchochetPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/peter-norman-schochet)\n- [![PB avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F8ce601bfff0e478%2Foriginal%2Fan2vpdwf-uf2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Preeti B SharmaPediatric Pulmonologist](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/preeti-b-sharma)\n- [![KA avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F573060787b8403d7%2Foriginal%2Fwyok3arq-xf5-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Kathryn Ann MartinezPhysician Assistant - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/kathryn-ann-martinez)\n- [![SM avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F331fcbecb1789ffd%2Foriginal%2Ff5m4kt31-0k0-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Sharon Marie FuentesNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/sharon-marie-fuentes)\n- [MEMaria Elena RodriguezNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/maria-elena-rodriguez)\n- [![PA avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F383af12b3cef5c58%2Foriginal%2F04sus1vl-0s2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Prigi Anu VargheseNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/doctor-profile\/prigi-anu-varghese)\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\nCan a chronic cough be cured?\n\nIn most cases, yes. The treatment will depend on the cause. In rare cases, a cough may be due to more serious or chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment.\n\nIn most cases, yes. The treatment will depend on the cause. In rare cases, a cough may be due to more serious or chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment.\n\nWill my child be able to live a normal life?\n\nYes. Medications and other treatments can help control or eliminate the cough so it doesn’t interfere with your child’s daily activities or sleep.\n\nYes. Medications and other treatments can help control or eliminate the cough so it doesn’t interfere with your child’s daily activities or sleep.\n\n### Pulmonary Medicine\nCall[214-456-2857](tel:214-456-2857)\n\n[Book Appointment](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/request-an-appointment)\n\n[Refer Patient](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/for-healthcare-professionals\/refer-a-patient)\n\nProviders (17)\n\n![FC avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F6eb1ea6478ddf45d%2Foriginal%2Fpwoodmmj-opv-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)\n\n![EB avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Ftransform%2FHero%2F54620b04-d724-441f-8822-1438f9810a92%2Felisa-basora-rovira&w=96&q=75)\n\n![MJ avatar](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F4f608302222b4925%2Foriginal%2F1tsifyva-l1a-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)\n\n### Related Departments\n- [Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Our 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All Rights Reserved","attrs_readable_markdown":"When your child has a cough that doesn’t seem to go away, Children’s Health℠ experts are here to help you get to the bottom of it. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms in children. A cough is considered chronic when it lasts more than four weeks.\n\nOverview\n\n## What is a pediatric chronic cough?\nA cough is a reflex to clear the airways of irritants, infections or mucous in the respiratory tract. While it’s not unusual to have a cough multiple times throughout the year, when it interferes with everyday activities and\/or sleep or lasts more than a month, your child’s pediatrician will want to find out the root cause.\n\nTypes\n\n## What are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs?\nCoughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them.\n\n- **Wet cough** - A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract.\n- **Dry cough** - A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by [croup](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/croup) (a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords), [allergies](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/allergy) or [acid reflux](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease). Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark.\n\nDiagnosis\n\n## How are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed?\nYour child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes.\n\n**The provider will want to know:**\n\n- How it sounds\n- How long it's been going on\n- What triggers it or makes it better\n- When it occurs\n- Whether it's been treated yet with any medications\n- Whether someone in the house smokes\n\nCauses\n\n## What are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough?\n- **Viral infections**, including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial [bronchitis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/bronchitis) and [sinusitis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/sinusitis), can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons.\n- **Whooping cough (pertussis)** is another infection that can cause a chronic cough. [Pertussis](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/health-wellness\/pertussis-can-be-fatal-to-your-child-everyone-should-get-vaccinated) is characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue.\n- [Asthma](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/asthma) - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies).\n- [Allergies](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/allergy) - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander.\n- [Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease) - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal.\n- **Irritants** - Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children.\n- [Pneumonia](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/pneumonia) - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray.\n- [Foreign body](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/esophageal-foreign-bodies) - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung.\n- **Habit cough** - a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough.\n- **Other illnesses** - In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as [cystic fibrosis (CF)](https:\/\/www.childrens.com\/specialties-services\/conditions\/cystic-fibrosis) or other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely.\n- **Age** - The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause.\n  - Younger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract.\n  - For older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages.\n\nTreatment\n\n## How is a pediatric chronic cough treated?\nTreatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home.\n\n- **Medications** may include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow.\n- **Bronchoscopy** - Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway.\n- **Other** - Our pulmonary specialists rarely recommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits.\n\nFor children **over** age 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\nCan a chronic cough be cured?\n\nWill my child be able to live a normal life?","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/chronic-cough
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Meta Description	Pediatric chronic coughs can be caused by a number of factors and illnesses. Our team helps get to the root of the problem. Learn more from Children's Health.
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Boilerpipe Text	When your child has a cough that doesn’t seem to go away, Children’s Health℠ experts are here to help you get to the bottom of it. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms in children. A cough is considered chronic when it lasts more than four weeks. Overview What is a pediatric chronic cough? A cough is a reflex to clear the airways of irritants, infections or mucous in the respiratory tract. While it’s not unusual to have a cough multiple times throughout the year, when it interferes with everyday activities and/or sleep or lasts more than a month, your child’s pediatrician will want to find out the root cause. Types What are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs? Coughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them. Wet cough - A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract. Dry cough - A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by croup (a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords), allergies or acid reflux . Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark. Diagnosis How are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed? Your child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes. The provider will want to know: How it sounds How long it's been going on What triggers it or makes it better When it occurs Whether it's been treated yet with any medications Whether someone in the house smokes Causes What are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough? Viral infections , including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial bronchitis and sinusitis , can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Whooping cough (pertussis) is another infection that can cause a chronic cough. Pertussis is characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue. Asthma - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies). Allergies - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal. Irritants - Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children. Pneumonia - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray. Foreign body - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung. Habit cough - a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough. Other illnesses - In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as cystic fibrosis (CF) or other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely. Age - The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause. Younger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract. For older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages. Treatment How is a pediatric chronic cough treated? Treatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home. Medications may include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow. Bronchoscopy - Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway. Other - Our pulmonary specialists rarely recommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits. For children over age 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough. Frequently Asked Questions Can a chronic cough be cured? Will my child be able to live a normal life?
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Coughing is one of the most common symptoms in children. A cough is considered chronic when it lasts more than four weeks. Overview ## What is a pediatric chronic cough? A cough is a reflex to clear the airways of irritants, infections or mucous in the respiratory tract. While it’s not unusual to have a cough multiple times throughout the year, when it interferes with everyday activities and/or sleep or lasts more than a month, your child’s pediatrician will want to find out the root cause. Types ## What are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs? Coughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them. - Wet cough - A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract. - Dry cough - A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by [croup](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/croup) (a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords), [allergies](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/allergy) or [acid reflux](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease). Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark. Read More ## What are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs? Coughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them. - Wet cough - A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract. - Dry cough - A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by [croup](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/croup) (a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords), [allergies](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/allergy) or [acid reflux](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease). Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark. Diagnosis ## How are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed? Your child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes. The provider will want to know: - How it sounds - How long it's been going on - What triggers it or makes it better - When it occurs - Whether it's been treated yet with any medications - Whether someone in the house smokes Read More ## How are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed? Your child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes. The provider will want to know: - How it sounds - How long it's been going on - What triggers it or makes it better - When it occurs - Whether it's been treated yet with any medications - Whether someone in the house smokes Causes ## What are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough? - Viral infections, including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial [bronchitis](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/bronchitis) and [sinusitis](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/sinusitis), can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons. - Whooping cough (pertussis) is another infection that can cause a chronic cough. [Pertussis](https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/pertussis-can-be-fatal-to-your-child-everyone-should-get-vaccinated) is characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue. - [Asthma](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/asthma) - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies). - [Allergies](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/allergy) - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander. - [Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease) - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal. - Irritants - Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children. - [Pneumonia](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/pneumonia) - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray. - [Foreign body](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/esophageal-foreign-bodies) - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung. - Habit cough - a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough. - Other illnesses - In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as [cystic fibrosis (CF)](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/cystic-fibrosis) or other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely. - Age - The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause. - Younger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract. - For older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages. Read More ## What are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough? - Viral infections, including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial [bronchitis](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/bronchitis) and [sinusitis](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/sinusitis), can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons. - Whooping cough (pertussis) is another infection that can cause a chronic cough. [Pertussis](https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/pertussis-can-be-fatal-to-your-child-everyone-should-get-vaccinated) is characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue. - [Asthma](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/asthma) - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies). - [Allergies](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/allergy) - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander. - [Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease) - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal. - Irritants - Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children. - [Pneumonia](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/pneumonia) - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray. - [Foreign body](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/esophageal-foreign-bodies) - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung. - Habit cough - a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough. - Other illnesses - In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as [cystic fibrosis (CF)](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/cystic-fibrosis) or other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely. - Age - The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause. - Younger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract. - For older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages. Treatment ## How is a pediatric chronic cough treated? Treatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home. - Medications may include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow. - Bronchoscopy - Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway. - Other - Our pulmonary specialists rarely recommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits. For children over age 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough. Read More ## How is a pediatric chronic cough treated? Treatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home. - Medications may include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow. - Bronchoscopy - Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway. - Other - Our pulmonary specialists rarely recommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits. For children over age 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough. ## Doctors and Providers - [![FC avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F6eb1ea6478ddf45d%2Foriginal%2Fpwoodmmj-opv-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Folashade Catherine AfolabiPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/folashade-catherine-afolabi) - [![EB avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F2309e4f0e762ef1b%2Foriginal%2Felisa-basora-rovira.jpg&w=96&q=75)Elisa Basora RoviraPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/elisa-basora-rovira) - [![MJ avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F4f608302222b4925%2Foriginal%2F1tsifyva-l1a-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Michelle Jean Brock CaraballoPediatric Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/michelle-jean-brock-caraballo) - [![SC avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F36960c1033e07aa9%2Foriginal%2Fxwompmr1-b1v-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Steven Craig CopenhaverPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/steven-craig-copenhaver) - [![AS avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F5202d56eabf75229%2Foriginal%2Fy1oep4wl-yti-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Andrew Scott GelfandPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/andrew-scott-gelfand) - [![PM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F78df68ec5d723a9c%2Foriginal%2Faawek2ir-bsc-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter M LuckettPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/peter-m-luckett) - [![TM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F335fe77b30ba0589%2Foriginal%2Frojattws-k4w-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Tanya Milagros Martinez FernandezPediatric Pulmonologist/Sleep Medicine](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/tanya-milagros-martinez-fernandez) - [![SK avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F1044100330afe70f%2Foriginal%2Fnplyu5nx-tnm-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Syed Kamal M NaqviPediatric Pulmonologist/Sleep Medicine](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/syed-kamal-m-naqvi) - [![DR avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2Fe1570c3d2eccf54%2Foriginal%2Fsttngylo-4vq-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Devika Radhika RaoPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/devika-radhika-rao) - [![YM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F29b71071bd839293%2Foriginal%2Fg2fc0mns-h4c-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Yadira Milagros Rivera SanchezPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/yadira-milagros-rivera-sanchez) - [![PK avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F7b1c7e4f746c4c29%2Foriginal%2Fkgupzivu-mvb-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Pravin Kumar SahPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/pravin-kumar-sah) - [![PN avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F3ec07a4f64ac23f1%2Foriginal%2Frwa0vbxe-4dk-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter Norman SchochetPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/peter-norman-schochet) - [![PB avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F8ce601bfff0e478%2Foriginal%2Fan2vpdwf-uf2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Preeti B SharmaPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/preeti-b-sharma) - [![KA avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F573060787b8403d7%2Foriginal%2Fwyok3arq-xf5-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Kathryn Ann MartinezPhysician Assistant - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/kathryn-ann-martinez) - [![SM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F331fcbecb1789ffd%2Foriginal%2Ff5m4kt31-0k0-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Sharon Marie FuentesNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/sharon-marie-fuentes) - [MEMaria Elena RodriguezNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/maria-elena-rodriguez) - [![PA avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F383af12b3cef5c58%2Foriginal%2F04sus1vl-0s2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Prigi Anu VargheseNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/prigi-anu-varghese) Read More - [![FC avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F6eb1ea6478ddf45d%2Foriginal%2Fpwoodmmj-opv-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Folashade Catherine AfolabiPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/folashade-catherine-afolabi) - [![EB avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F2309e4f0e762ef1b%2Foriginal%2Felisa-basora-rovira.jpg&w=96&q=75)Elisa Basora RoviraPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/elisa-basora-rovira) - [![MJ avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F4f608302222b4925%2Foriginal%2F1tsifyva-l1a-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Michelle Jean Brock CaraballoPediatric Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/michelle-jean-brock-caraballo) - [![SC avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F36960c1033e07aa9%2Foriginal%2Fxwompmr1-b1v-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Steven Craig CopenhaverPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/steven-craig-copenhaver) - [![AS avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F5202d56eabf75229%2Foriginal%2Fy1oep4wl-yti-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Andrew Scott GelfandPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/andrew-scott-gelfand) - [![PM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F78df68ec5d723a9c%2Foriginal%2Faawek2ir-bsc-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter M LuckettPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/peter-m-luckett) - [![TM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F335fe77b30ba0589%2Foriginal%2Frojattws-k4w-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Tanya Milagros Martinez FernandezPediatric Pulmonologist/Sleep Medicine](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/tanya-milagros-martinez-fernandez) - [![SK avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F1044100330afe70f%2Foriginal%2Fnplyu5nx-tnm-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Syed Kamal M NaqviPediatric Pulmonologist/Sleep Medicine](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/syed-kamal-m-naqvi) - [![DR avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2Fe1570c3d2eccf54%2Foriginal%2Fsttngylo-4vq-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Devika Radhika RaoPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/devika-radhika-rao) - [![YM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F29b71071bd839293%2Foriginal%2Fg2fc0mns-h4c-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Yadira Milagros Rivera SanchezPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/yadira-milagros-rivera-sanchez) - [![PK avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F7b1c7e4f746c4c29%2Foriginal%2Fkgupzivu-mvb-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Pravin Kumar SahPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/pravin-kumar-sah) - [![PN avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F3ec07a4f64ac23f1%2Foriginal%2Frwa0vbxe-4dk-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Peter Norman SchochetPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/peter-norman-schochet) - [![PB avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F8ce601bfff0e478%2Foriginal%2Fan2vpdwf-uf2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Preeti B SharmaPediatric Pulmonologist](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/preeti-b-sharma) - [![KA avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F573060787b8403d7%2Foriginal%2Fwyok3arq-xf5-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Kathryn Ann MartinezPhysician Assistant - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/kathryn-ann-martinez) - [![SM avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F331fcbecb1789ffd%2Foriginal%2Ff5m4kt31-0k0-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Sharon Marie FuentesNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/sharon-marie-fuentes) - [MEMaria Elena RodriguezNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/maria-elena-rodriguez) - [![PA avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F383af12b3cef5c58%2Foriginal%2F04sus1vl-0s2-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75)Prigi Anu VargheseNurse Practitioner - Pulmonology](https://www.childrens.com/doctor-profile/prigi-anu-varghese) ## Frequently Asked Questions Can a chronic cough be cured? In most cases, yes. The treatment will depend on the cause. In rare cases, a cough may be due to more serious or chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment. In most cases, yes. The treatment will depend on the cause. In rare cases, a cough may be due to more serious or chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment. Will my child be able to live a normal life? Yes. Medications and other treatments can help control or eliminate the cough so it doesn’t interfere with your child’s daily activities or sleep. Yes. Medications and other treatments can help control or eliminate the cough so it doesn’t interfere with your child’s daily activities or sleep. ### Pulmonary Medicine Call[214-456-2857](tel:214-456-2857) [Book Appointment](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/request-an-appointment) [Refer Patient](https://www.childrens.com/for-healthcare-professionals/refer-a-patient) Providers (17) ![FC avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F6eb1ea6478ddf45d%2Foriginal%2Fpwoodmmj-opv-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75) ![EB avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Ftransform%2FHero%2F54620b04-d724-441f-8822-1438f9810a92%2Felisa-basora-rovira&w=96&q=75) ![MJ avatar](https://www.childrens.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.childrens.com%2Fm%2F4f608302222b4925%2Foriginal%2F1tsifyva-l1a-jpg.jpg&w=96&q=75) ### Related Departments - [Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Our nationally ranked programs offer expert care for your child’s respiratory condition](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/specialty-centers-and-programs/pulmonology) 339SwDf2E7nAKYkDPEUWQy Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Follow Children's Health on social media [Subscribe to our email newsletter](https://www.childrens.com/email-signup) [(844)-424-4537844-4CHILDRENS](tel:+18444244537) ### Why Children's Health - 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Readable Markdown	When your child has a cough that doesn’t seem to go away, Children’s Health℠ experts are here to help you get to the bottom of it. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms in children. A cough is considered chronic when it lasts more than four weeks. Overview ## What is a pediatric chronic cough? A cough is a reflex to clear the airways of irritants, infections or mucous in the respiratory tract. While it’s not unusual to have a cough multiple times throughout the year, when it interferes with everyday activities and/or sleep or lasts more than a month, your child’s pediatrician will want to find out the root cause. Types ## What are the different types of pediatric chronic coughs? Coughs can be categorized as “wet” or “dry” depending on what type of illness causes them. - Wet cough - A wet cough is a productive cough that brings up mucous. Many children have difficulty coughing the mucous all the way out, however, and will often cough it up to the level of the throat and then swallow it, where it will be passed through the gastrointestinal tract. - Dry cough - A dry cough doesn’t produce mucous and feels more like an irritation or tickle in the throat. One type of dry cough is a “barking cough,” which can be caused by [croup](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/croup) (a viral infection that causes swelling of the vocal cords), [allergies](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/allergy) or [acid reflux](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease). Some parents describe the cough as sounding like a seal’s bark. Diagnosis ## How are pediatric chronic coughs diagnosed? Your child’s health care provider will listen to the type of cough and ask questions about it to narrow the causes. The provider will want to know: - How it sounds - How long it's been going on - What triggers it or makes it better - When it occurs - Whether it's been treated yet with any medications - Whether someone in the house smokes Causes ## What are the causes of a pediatric chronic cough? - Viral infections, including colds, are the most common cause of a cough. Bacterial infections, such as bacterial [bronchitis](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/bronchitis) and [sinusitis](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/sinusitis), can also cause a chronic cough. Sometimes a cough lasting more than a month is simply due to back-to-back viral infections, especially during the fall and winter seasons. - Whooping cough (pertussis) is another infection that can cause a chronic cough. [Pertussis](https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/pertussis-can-be-fatal-to-your-child-everyone-should-get-vaccinated) is characterized by coughing spells ending with a deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound. Babies and young children may not produce the whooping sound and may have only the coughing fits, or rarely, have pauses in breathing or turning blue. - [Asthma](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/asthma) - Cough occurs in response to airway irritants or inflammation. Cough due to asthma is most commonly triggered by exercise, cold air, weather changes or exposure to airway irritants, such as secondhand smoke or other strong smells (perfumes, cleaning supplies). - [Allergies](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/allergy) - Cough occurs due to postnasal drip (mucous from the nose draining down the back of the throat) or from irritated or swollen airways. Allergies tend to flare in spring and fall, depending on what a child is allergic to, but can occur year-around due to allergens like dust mites, cat and dog dander. - [Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease) - Also called heartburn or acid reflux - When stomach acid comes back up from the stomach, it irritates the throat and can cause a cough. Reflux is typically worst at night or right after a meal. - Irritants - Exposure to secondhand smoke or other household chemicals can lead to coughing even in otherwise healthy children. - [Pneumonia](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/pneumonia) - Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral, and is usually diagnosed on a chest X-ray. - [Foreign body](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/esophageal-foreign-bodies) - the presence of a foreign object in the airway, most commonly a small toy or particle of food that a child chokes on and accidentally inhales into his airways. The child then coughs to try to clear the object from his lung. - Habit cough - a cough without any infectious cause or other explanation, which typically starts when a child is sick but then persists after the illness resolves. The cough occurs when the child is thinking about or focusing on the cough, but goes away when he is distracted or asleep. This diagnosis is fairly common but can only be made by ruling out other causes of cough. - Other illnesses - In some cases, a cough can indicate a more serious illness, such as [cystic fibrosis (CF)](https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/cystic-fibrosis) or other genetic conditions that affect the respiratory system. However as of 2009, CF is on the newborn screen in all 50 states, so if your child was born after that and had a normal newborn screen, CF is much less likely. - Age - The age of the child also plays a role in the diagnosis and cause. - Younger children are more prone to foreign body aspiration and abnormalities in the respiratory tract. - For older children, cough is more likely to be caused by asthma, post-nasal drip and GERD. Nonetheless, viral infections are the most common cause of cough in all ages. Treatment ## How is a pediatric chronic cough treated? Treatment depends on the cause of the cough. If the cough is due to an irritant, the best treatment is to remove or better control the irritant in the home. - Medications may include antihistamines, antibiotics or acid blockers, depending on the diagnosis. In addition, asthma medicines such as inhaled steroids can control airway inflammation, while bronchodilators help relax the breathing tubes to improve airflow. - Bronchoscopy - Foreign bodies require a bronchoscopy, a quick procedure done under anesthesia with a scope to remove the foreign object from the airway. - Other - Our pulmonary specialists rarely recommend cough suppressants since they only suppress the symptom of the cough. In young children, studies have shown that cough suppressants are rarely effective and tend to cause more side effects than benefits. For children over age 1, honey can be used to help soothe the throat and reduce cough. ## Frequently Asked Questions Can a chronic cough be cured? Will my child be able to live a normal life?
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