Your Child's Coughs and Sore Throats

YOUR CHILD’S COUGHS AND SORE THROATS

Coughs and sore throats are two of the most common childhood complaints. It’s likely that your child will get one, or both at some point.

Learn more about coughs and sore throats, why your child gets them, and advice on relieving these symptoms.

WHAT IS A COUGH?

A cough is a healthy and important reflex that helps protect the airways in the throat and chest. Your child coughs when nerves in the pharynx (upper throat), larynx (throat), trachea (main breathing tube) or large bronchi (breathing tubes in the lungs) are irritated.

Coughs are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection like a cold or flu. But it may be the sign of something more serious, like croup, bronchiolitis, whooping cough, and pneumonia – so it’s important to get it checked out if you’re worried. Other reasons for coughs developing include asthma, allergies, gastro-oesophageal reflux or cystic fibrosis.

WHAT IS A SORE THROAT?

A sore throat (pharyngitis) is visible as inflammation or redness of the tissues. The main parts of the throat that are usually affected are the back of the throat, the tonsils or the larynx (the part of the throat that contains the vocal cords).

Sore throats can be caused by tonsillitis and other viral illnesses, such as chicken pox, measles and mumps.

RELIEVING COUGHS AND SORE THROAT

• Give your child food and keep them hydrated
• Humidify the room to help with breathing
• Pain relievers like Nurofen for Children can help soothe the pains of colds, flu and sore throats
• Don’t give cough medicines to children under 6 years
• For children over 6 years, over-the-counter cough medicines such as throat lozenges may help

For more information please contact your local GP