Treatment of wet cough in children under one year of age

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Wet cough in a child

Wet cough in a child: prerequisites for its occurrence and methods of alternative treatment

Cough is an unpleasant sensation that is especially active in the autumn and winter.

Table of contents:

Often, cough is a manifestation of developing acute respiratory diseases. The main mission of a cough is protective. It helps clear the airways of mucus, germs and phlegm. Cough irritants provoke a reflex action that rids the mucous membrane of dust or the consequences of chemical exposure (toxic waste, smoke, dyes), and also allows the removal of a foreign body from the respiratory tract.

Doctors distinguish only two types of cough:

  • Wet (accompanied by sputum discharge)
  • Dry (characterized by the absence of sputum and discomfort in the throat)

Each type of cough requires a specific approach, so self-diagnosis is unacceptable. A wet cough in a child can signal various serious manifestations of illness: an allergic reaction, acute respiratory viral infections, the presence of cancer and other deviations from the norm. Prescribing successful and timely treatment makes it possible to achieve a high-quality recovery. The health of children is the concern of parents, so it is necessary to carefully select a qualified specialist, and in no case self-medicate.

Prerequisites for the occurrence of wet cough in children

Finding the cause is the most important point for adequate treatment. The most popular of them can be divided into several categories:

  1. Inflammatory processes in the lungs
  2. Bronchial asthma
  3. Allergy (usually with no fever)
  4. Acute rhinitis (accompanied by the release of large amounts of mucus from the sinuses)
  5. Complications after suffering from ARVI
  6. Congenital pathologies

Newborn babies often suffer from a wet cough due to insufficient development of the muscles of the esophagus and stomach. Wet cough syndrome can accompany the full development of a child for up to a year, as it is one of the accompanying signs of teething. The manifestations may be completely harmless, but parents should certainly be wary of some facts:

  1. A prolonged cough is not normal for a child
  2. A high temperature that does not subside for several days is a real reason to seek help from a specialist.
  3. The presence of acute pain in the chest during attacks of wet cough
  4. The child has poor appetite, or its complete absence
  5. Loose stools, foreign matter in stool
  6. Signs of blood and purulent discharge in expectorated sputum
  7. Sudden onset of wet cough
  8. Hoarse sounds that can be heard even from a distance
  9. Wet cough caused by a complication of ARVI
  10. A child has a persistent wet cough that does not stop for weeks or months

A rare wet cough caused by the physiological characteristics of a person is natural for a child. The mucous membrane of the larynx produces mucus, which should not stagnate in the respiratory tract. The structure of the discharge varies depending on individual characteristics. It is quite normal for a child to cough to get rid of a small amount of phlegm, which clears the larynx of germs. A slight cough should not cause any particular reaction in parents; suspiciousness is not good for the child (self-healing of non-existent diseases reduces the child’s immunity). But during the inflammatory process, the volume of mucus secreted increases significantly, which should definitely serve as a signal to action for parents.

In this situation, you need to urgently contact a professional to get qualified help. An emergency call to a doctor is mandatory for all children under one year of age, especially those suffering from chronic diseases. If you have a high temperature (up to 38 degrees and above) or difficulty breathing, you should not hesitate under any circumstances.

Types of mucus produced during a wet cough in a child

A complete characterization of a wet cough can be obtained by examining the sputum produced. It is divided into several types:

  • Copious sputum discharge is often found in all types of bronchitis and tracheitis
  • An orange-rusty tint of mucus is characteristic of pneumonia
  • Watery sputum appears mainly due to inflammation of the respiratory tract.
  • Wet, viscous discharge is the first sign of bronchial asthma.
  • Discharge of a mixture of blood and mucus predominantly indicates a certain stage of tuberculosis
  • Pus in its pure form can be released along with sputum during a pulmonary abscess

What conditions should be created for a child to successfully recover from a wet cough?

Deviations in the health of the respiratory tract require a special home atmosphere. It is necessary to carefully maintain cleanliness in the room where the sick person is. The ingress of dust particles and chemicals has a detrimental effect on the positive dynamics of the disease. A prerequisite is the elimination of dust accumulators - rugs, carpets and soft toys. The temperature in the room should be warm, about degrees. The baby must be protected from all kinds of paints, strong-smelling substances and perfumes. A child's cough is wet - this is serious; neglecting the rules of care can lead to disastrous consequences for the baby.

If the air in a sick child’s room is dry, it is urgent to create conditions of high humidity. Otherwise, mucus will form in conditions favorable to it, bacteria will multiply, the discharge will acquire a thick consistency, which will significantly complicate the discharge of sputum. High air humidity guarantees productive treatment of wet cough in a small child.

Drinking plenty of fluids is a necessary condition for successful treatment. Absolutely any non-carbonated warm temperature drinks (juices, fruit drinks, tea, herbal infusions, plain water) are suitable for this purpose. Products from the pharmacy that saturate the body with salt and minerals will have an additional positive effect on the baby’s body. The viscosity of the sputum discharge will be lower if the tissues are saturated with the required amount of fluid. Loss of water from the body contributes to poor clearance of mucous masses from the respiratory tract.

Short walks in the fresh air are necessary for children. Movement provokes active secretion of sputum, which has a great effect on the baby’s well-being. Quiet games outside improve the functioning of the mucous membranes of the larynx and soothe a wet cough.

Cleansing children's respiratory system occurs faster if the baby is not prevented from moving. Mobile activity is recommended at moderate temperatures without increasing.

Treatment of wet cough in children under one year of age

The respiratory muscles of children and adults are different. Young children have less developed muscles that are unable to completely push sticky mucus out of the airways. A long stay of sputum in a child’s respiratory organs is extremely undesirable, because stagnant masses represent a hotbed for the spread of infection and the active proliferation of bacteria. The recovery process can be significantly delayed, so it is necessary to help the small organism in removing mucous secretions.

Children have too viscous sputum, so it is difficult to clear. Mucus is an abnormal, pathological substance, the presence of which in the bronchi has a negative effect on the body. A child’s wet cough is called “productive”; it is better than a dry cough, but nevertheless requires quality treatment.

The main emphasis in eliminating a wet cough in a small child is on the use of mucolytic drugs, which organize the required level of mucus for complete cleansing of the respiratory tract. The second key point in the treatment process is taking expectorants; they provoke the release of accumulated mucus and its dilution. Discharges with a more liquid consistency come out much easier.

Herbal remedies for cough treatment are very popular, especially “Doctor Mom” and chest collection. This demand is not particularly justified, because the effectiveness of these drugs has not been clinically proven. Possible side effects: allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the components of the drug. It is these factors that warn against the use of herbal remedies (despite their natural composition), especially since a positive result is not guaranteed.

The use of drugs containing synthetic fibers is recognized as the most effective in the fight against wet cough. These include ACC, lazolvan, bromhexine, expectorant syrups, ambroxol and many others. Pediatricians primarily prescribe expectorant drugs of a new generation for treatment for children, with a minimum of side effects, since statistical data have recorded positive dynamics in resolving this issue.

Treatment of wet cough is carried out exclusively under the close supervision of a doctor. Self-medication means deliberately wanting to harm your child. Usually parents begin to suppress the child’s cough on their own, which is absolutely forbidden to do! The main point is to allow the mucus to calmly come out, so the presence of a cough is necessary as a mechanical effect on the respiratory tract.

The baby’s well-being should be under the strict control of the parents; sometimes a wet cough causes a large amount of mucus, as a result of which a gag reflex develops. Traditional medicine, chosen chaotically and without the knowledge of the doctor, is not the best ally in the treatment of sputum discharge, but in any case, consulting a doctor is simply necessary.

It is preferable to give combined drugs with the addition of excipients and sweeteners to young children.

The effectiveness of inhalations for wet coughs

The issue of treating young children is very delicate and requires maximum caution. If it is necessary to perform steam inhalations, you can ask your doctor to demonstrate the algorithm for performing the procedure, repeating it at home yourself.

When a sufficiently productive discharge of mucus is achieved, it is necessary to stop treatment measures. Inhalations are aimed at liquefying sputum and removing it efficiently. A light massage of the back and chest will help remove mucous masses.

Do not allow experimental treatment on your children! Use only proven methods and strictly follow your pediatrician's recommendations.

Conclusions and recommendations

Treatment of wet cough in children is successful when following the instructions of the treating doctor. It should be remembered that the presence of a wet cough is not always a manifestation of a painful condition (perhaps it is simply a reflex clearing of the airways). If you have a suspected persistent cough, you should immediately seek professional advice. A wide variety of diseases can manifest themselves through a wet cough. Timely diagnosis will help to help the child in time. Treatment can only be prescribed by a pediatrician in a clinic, based on the characteristics of the sputum. It is necessary to inform the attending physician about all additional therapeutic measures (the use of traditional medicine methods, inhalations, massages and rubbing), if possible, coordinate each action.

The dosage of drugs for children over 3 years of age may be increased. It is not recommended to give a child unfamiliar, unfamiliar drugs and drugs for adults. During treatment, remove boxes and jars with medicines away from children’s eyes, out of reach. Remember that responsibility for the health of the offspring lies with the parents!

Source: http://grippe.su/mokryj-kashel-u-rebenka.html

Treatment of wet cough in children

Treatment of a wet cough first requires treatment of the disease that caused the symptom. It is known that a wet cough is much easier to treat than a dry cough. With a wet cough, the bronchi and lungs are well cleaned, and pathogenic organisms are released with sputum. A wet cough during illness is a good sign, but it still needs to be treated, since any type of cough gives the child a lot of discomfort.

It is important to know how to treat a cough, especially in a one-year-old baby. In some cases, you can not use medications, but treat with folk remedies. The treatment method depends on the cause of the phlegm that the body is trying to get rid of through coughing.

How to treat?

If you have a productive cough, you should not take medicine that suppresses the cough reflex. There are many remedies to eliminate the symptom, but the most important thing is to select the medicine according to the type of action. The form of the medicine is not a decisive factor - children’s cough tablets, syrups, and medicine will help equally effectively. To make the right choice in the treatment of wet cough, you need to consult a pediatrician.

The child needs to be helped to cope with the disease more easily: ventilate the room more often, humidify the air, and also eliminate all unnecessary aromas that can irritate the mucous membranes, causing a lingering cough.

Difficulty in selecting medications arises in the case of cough in children in the first year of life, since a large number of drugs for infants are contraindicated. In such cases, folk remedies are used, many of them act no worse than medications.

During drug treatment, it is necessary to know the causes of wet cough in order to correctly select drugs that can cure this symptom. It is important to observe how often coughing attacks occur at night; perhaps the child has an allergic reaction to some substance.

Syrups

For children one year of age, the preferred dosage form is syrups. There are many types of syrups that will help cure a child's wet cough.

Ascoril

Ascoril is a drug that thins sputum and has an expectorant effect. Ascoril is actively used in pediatric practice, but strictly as prescribed by a doctor. Children in the first year of life are not prescribed Ascoril. Ascoril also has other properties: eliminates spasms in the bronchi, increases lung capacity, significantly reduces airway resistance, and helps facilitate the removal of phlegm.

In order for Ascoril to have the right effect, you need to know exactly the causes of the cough. The drug does not help in every case. The medicine Ascoril is taken for dry cough, whooping cough, bronchial asthma and tracheobronchitis.

Gerbion

Gerbion syrup is a mucolytic drug. Herbion syrup facilitates the discharge of viscous sputum. Herbion contains extracts of primrose and thyme herbs, menthol. Gerbion syrup has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Gerbion is contraindicated for infants. Herbion is taken after meals, washed down with plenty of liquid.

Expectorants

Expectorants are indicated for diseases that are accompanied by the release of viscous, thick sputum and a wet cough. Expectorants help thin mucus, which then removes phlegm from the bronchi. Expectorants are divided into two groups: herbal and synthetic.

Herbal preparations for the treatment of wet cough in children are very popular. Especially ones like:

Mukaltin

Mucaltin is used to relieve persistent coughs in diseases of the lower respiratory tract. Mucaltin is recommended for acute and chronic respiratory diseases, which are accompanied by difficult to separate sputum.

Mucaltin is an expectorant drug that additionally has anti-inflammatory properties. Mucaltin stimulates the functioning of the bronchial glands, as a result of which additional production of mucous secretions occurs, sticky and viscous sputum is liquefied.

Mucaltin has virtually no contraindications due to its plant origin. Mucaltin should not be taken by children in infancy; use is permitted from 12 years of age. It is also contraindicated to use Mucaltin for children with peptic ulcers. Mucaltin can cause an allergic reaction, side effects are very mild.

Many parents choose herbal preparations. This decision is not always correct, since herbal preparations can cause an allergic reaction in the child. Also, their effectiveness in treating wet cough has not been proven in clinical studies. Therefore, it is not recommended to treat infants with herbal preparations.

The most famous expectorant drugs of synthetic origin:

Treatment with synthetic expectorants brings more positive results. They help relieve attacks and have an effective effect on nighttime lingering coughs in children. But, do not forget that any treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Inhalations

Inhalations will significantly improve the condition of children, help relieve coughs, thin mucus, and moisturize the respiratory tract. Attacks of night cough, prolonged cough in children - the choice of inhalation. It is important to remember that inhalations are recommended for children over 4 years of age. In a one-year-old baby, inhalation can cause bronchospasm, and there is also a risk of burns to the mucous membranes.

Steam inhalations with essential oil of eucalyptus or pine have a good effect on children's health. An effective remedy in the fight against wet cough is fine inhalation, which can be carried out at home using a nebulizer inhaler. After these procedures, the little one will sleep peacefully at night.

Inhalations can be carried out with medications such as:

Applications

Paraffin or ozokerite applications to the chest area immediately greatly improve blood circulation in this area and relieve inflammation. If the child does not have a fever, you can make applications with mustard plaster or potato cakes at home. Compresses and applications have a good effect at night and will help quickly cure coughs with phlegm in children.

Thermal procedures are excellent in treating colds and prevent the disease from developing.

Massage

Treatment of productive cough can be supported by massage; after the procedure, your baby will sleep peacefully at night. Massage helps a lot in the fight against cough. The procedure can be performed by children at home. The simplest massage methods:

  • Invite your child to blow up a few balloons;
  • Play with a glass of water and a straw - blow into the straw to make the water bubble;
  • Make a massage in a simple way “Rails - rails, sleepers - sleepers” is a well-known game for all mothers.

Folk remedies

Popular are folk remedies that help cure coughs with sputum. It is very difficult for one-year-old children to choose the right remedy for the treatment of wet cough, since drug treatment is not always allowed for children under one year of age.

“Grandma’s remedies” will help treat a long-lasting wet cough at night; you can prepare delicious syrups:

  • From viburnum berries and sugar;
  • From onions: finely chop 1 onion, mix with 2 tbsp. l. honey, 1 tsp. lemon juice, leave overnight, and give the child the juice obtained from this mixture to drink;

Such simple and tasty syrups will help cure a wet, severe cough even in an infant.

Decoctions

Decoctions of medicinal herbs are the “signature dish” of lovers of traditional healing. The child can be given decoctions of medicinal herbs to drink (coltsfoot, linden and elderberry blossom, sage, chamomile). Herbal teas are also effective in relieving severe, lingering coughs in children that occur at night.

Rubbing

Rub children at night if their body temperature is not elevated. For the procedure, use goat and badger fat. Attacks of prolonged night cough will not bother children after rubbing. All rubbing products can be used for one-year-old children. Cases of allergic reactions to fat are extremely rare.

If a productive cough at night exhausts your child, you need to give him warm milk and honey. Honey can help soothe nighttime coughs.

Prevention

The causes of a wet cough can be colds and allergies. To prevent a productive cough, several rules must be followed.

Source: http://lecheniedetej.ru/organy-dyxaniya/vlazhnyj-kashel.html

We fight a child’s wet cough in 5 ways together with a pediatrician

Cough is a protective device that protects the respiratory tract from mucus, fluid and foreign objects. The cough can be wet or dry. Both types bring the same inconvenience to babies. Using a wet cough as an example, let’s look at what is important for parents to know and remember in order to help their child cope with this illness.

Where does a wet cough come from?

This condition is based on the cough reflex. Irritation of bronchial receptors by sputum triggers a complex mechanism.

Receptors transmit the impulse to the medulla oblongata, where the respiratory center is located → the chest and diaphragm contract → a sharp opening of the glottis occurs → forced exhalation → removal of mucous and other contents from the bronchi and lungs.

What conditions cause a wet cough in a child?

  • Viral respiratory diseases.
  • Allergies (bronchial asthma, bronchitis).
  • Pneumonia and bronchitis.
  • Abscesses and bronchiectasis of the lung.
  • Congenital diseases (cystic fibrosis, Kartegener's disease).
  • Tuberculosis.

The glands in the bronchial mucosa, during inflammation and in interaction with other irritants, work in an enhanced mode.

The rheological properties of bronchial secretions are disrupted. It becomes thick, which affects mucociliary clearance - the removal of mucous contents by the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi. Fluid stagnation contributes to the formation of inflammatory foci.

The nature of the sputum can determine the cause of the cough:

  • purulent → abscess or bronchiectasis in the lung;
  • bloody → tuberculosis or cardiovascular failure;
  • viscous → bronchial asthma;
  • watery → viral infection;
  • rusty color → pneumococcal pneumonia.

Possible causes of wet cough in an infant

Coughing at such an early age always frightens parents. But often there is no reason to panic.

  1. In infants, coughing occurs due to insufficient development of the muscles of the esophagus and stomach. The contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus and partially aspirated (inhaled), causing a cough. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux.
  2. A wet, infrequent cough is observed in infants during teething due to excessive salivation.
  3. A cough occurs with strong crying with copious discharge from the nose.
  4. When choking on milk during feeding.

When and what should be treated?

Cough is a symptom of a particular disease.

Requires immediate treatment if:

  • dyspnea;
  • decreased appetite;
  • heat;
  • sudden attacks of coughing;
  • wheezing;
  • change in color of sputum, presence of blood streaks.

Etiotropic therapy

Aimed at eliminating the cause of wet cough.

  • For colds, as well as for inflammatory processes in the bronchi and lungs, antiviral agents and antibiotics are prescribed.
  • Bronchial asthma is treated with bronchodilators and hormones.
  • Allergies require antihistamines.
  • Tuberculosis is cured with specific antibacterial therapy.

How to cure a cough itself?

  1. Drink plenty of fluids. Helps reduce intoxication, dilutes viscous secretions in the bronchi.

Breastfed babies should be put to the breast more often.

  1. Mucolytics. They liquefy the mucous contents of the bronchi and promote their removal to the outside. Mucolytics increase the amount of secretion, so they are chosen for a wet, unproductive cough. These include drugs containing the following active substances: acetylcysteine, ambroxol, carbocysteine, trypsin, chymotrypsin. The last two are proteolytic enzymes and are used in cystic fibrosis. Let's describe the first three components:

Reflex irritate the gastric mucosa and the vomiting center, so there is increased salivation and increased secretion of bronchial fluid. The most popular drugs: Mucaltin, licorice root, breast mixture, Herbion, Gedelix, Alteyka.

Resorptive drugs (sodium bicarbonate, potassium iodide and others) also thin out thick secretions by increasing the volume of fluid in the bronchi. Not used in pediatric practice.

  1. Combined drugs. They contain several substances that have different actions.
  • Ascoril (mucolytic, bronchodilator, expectorant effects). A very good drug, prescribed from 2 years of age.
  • Bronholitin (antitussive, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator). It is not recommended to use for wet cough.

It must be remembered that if you have a wet cough, you should not use antitussive drugs. This will not help cure, but only contributes to even greater stagnation of phlegm in the bronchi and lungs.

  1. Other drugs.
  • Erespal contains the active substance fenspiride. Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, relieves bronchial obstruction. From 2 years old.
  • Sinupret based on medicinal herbs. It has expectorant, mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. From 2 years old.

Physiotherapy

To treat cough use:

  • inhalation;
    • steam with eucalyptus, sage or chamomile;
    • through a nebulizer with saline solution, Lazolvan, Berodual or Pulmicort;
  • medicinal electrophoresis with absorbable drugs;
  • SMT on the chest to improve drainage;
  • UHF therapy (in the subacute phase for pneumonia).

Massage and gymnastics

These procedures are necessary in the treatment of wet cough, especially in newborns and children under one year old.

  • Coughing with phlegm in an infant often leads to pneumonia. At this age, the child is not able to get rid of fluid in the lungs by coughing. To do this, the baby is placed in a special drainage position so that the butt is higher and the head is lower. In this position, lightly pat the back from the lower back to the neck, alternating vibration with stroking and rubbing.
  • An older child is also given a chest drainage massage, supplemented with special breathing exercises.

After drinking a course of expectorants and other cough medications, the child will continue to cough for some time.

The task of parents is to create conditions for a speedy recovery.

  • It is necessary to monitor the humidity in the room and ventilate more often.
  • Do wet cleaning regularly.
  • Strengthen the immune system by hardening and moderate physical activity.
  • The child should eat properly and be outdoors regularly.

If your baby has a cough, there is no need to self-medicate. Seek help from your doctor. Only a doctor can prescribe the correct drug.

Graduated from the Siberian State Medical University (Siberian State Medical University), Tomsk. There are certificates in the specialty of physical therapy and emergency medical care. Second medical category. I work at an ambulance station, Kirov substation, Novosibirsk. Before that, she worked as a local pediatrician in a clinic and was on duty in the emergency department of a children’s hospital. Specialization: pediatrics, physiotherapy, emergency care for children.

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4 comments to the article “Fighting a wet cough in a child in 5 ways together with a pediatrician”

When coughing, I give the child a lot to drink, and we do inhalations as prescribed by the doctor. I fill the nebulizer with Prospan drops and saline solution. Due to the fact that the steam penetrates deeply, the phlegm is well liquefied and quickly released.

I like Prospan in syrup better. Children love its taste and are treated without problems. In addition, it is equally good for me and my husband, and we are drivers and it is important that the medicine is without alcohol. This is how we heal.

Can you tell me the proportions?

Whenever I have a cough, I consult a doctor to establish a diagnosis and prescribe normal treatment. Our neighbor self-medicated her child to pneumonia, so I don’t risk treating the child on my own, and there’s no need for it. We have an excellent doctor, Lidiya Aleksandrovna Biryukova, who sees her at the Nearmedic branch. We contact her constantly, she is a good specialist, and the child loves her.

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Causes of wet cough in children and methods of treating it

A wet cough, unlike a dry cough, is accompanied by the discharge of sputum - a viscous substance that accumulates in the bronchial tree. That's why it's called wet. It is characterized by wheezing, reminiscent of the dull sound of bursting bubbles. Hoarseness occurs in the morning due to mucus accumulated at night. After its removal, the voice returns to normal. How to cure a wet cough in children, and how dangerous is it?

A distinctive feature of a wet cough is the release of specific mucus - sputum.

Associated symptoms

Normally, healthy children cough once a day, clearing the airways of dust and other debris. This type of wet cough should not alarm you. Treatment is only needed if additional symptoms are observed:

  • a cough attack occurs suddenly and does not stop for a long time;
  • body temperature has risen;
  • the temperature does not drop below 38 degrees for three days (in children with acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections);
  • cough lasts 3 weeks or more;
  • blood is released with sputum;
  • green mucus comes out with it;
  • prolonged refusal to eat;
  • complaints of pain or discomfort in the chest;
  • wheezing can be heard at a distance;
  • shortness of breath (difficulty and rapid breathing).

A wet cough and fever in a child may be signs of an inflammatory process in the bronchi.

Attention! Newborn babies breathe very quickly. This is fine. They can talk about shortness of breath only if more than 60 breaths are taken per minute. With age, breathing slows down. Therefore, in children from 2 months to a year, shortness of breath occurs more than 50 breaths per minute. For children one year old and older, the norm is considered to be no more than 40 breaths per minute.

Possible reasons

If your child has a frequent wet cough, consult a doctor to find out the cause, which may be:

  • ARVI (tracheitis, laryngitis and bronchitis);
  • pulmonary pneumonia;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • heart failure;
  • runny nose;
  • tuberculosis;
  • congenital anomaly (Kartagener syndrome or cystic fibrosis);
  • consequences of gastroesophageal reflux - a disease in which gastric juice is thrown into the esophagus.

During teething, babies cough several times more often. This is normal and does not require treatment.

Mothers often hear coughing when teething.

What happens in the body

The human respiratory tract is covered from the inside with a mucous membrane. It secretes a viscous secretion, to which microscopic foreign bodies that enter with air when inhaling stick. It can be plant pollen, dust, living microorganisms. The more particles there are, the more mucus is released that needs to come out.

Coughing is a protective measure of the body. The muscles of the respiratory tract contract in an attack, pushing phlegm to the exit. Along with it, microparticles that caused its abundant release are removed. In case of infectious diseases, this promotes a speedy recovery due to the expectoration of pathogenic microorganisms.

Dependence of sputum type on disease

The nature of the sputum is used to judge the disease that caused the cough reflex:

  • Abundant and transparent indicates tracheitis or bronchitis.
  • Rust colors indicate pneumonia.
  • Watery - for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
  • Vitreous high viscosity - for bronchial asthma.
  • With an admixture of blood - for tuberculosis, heart failure.
  • With pus of an unpleasant odor - a lung abscess.

This will allow the doctor to prescribe the most effective medications for this disease.

Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis.

Parents' actions

Additional symptoms help in making a diagnosis. The actions of the mother and the method of treating the baby will depend on them:

  • Cough without fever. If a child coughs more than 15 times a day, but the body temperature remains normal, exclude viruses and bacteria as possible causes. Visit your doctor as this is one of the signs of asthma and allergies. Check the air quality in the apartment: low humidity and high dust content provoke a cough reflex with sputum production.
  • Cough with fever is a symptom of colds and flu associated with infection by viruses or bacteria. Do not lower the temperature below 38 degrees. This is a protective reaction of the immune system that helps fight pathogens. Invite a pediatrician to your home so as not to violate bed rest. Provide your sick child with proper care and strictly follow the doctor's recommendations.
  • Cough and runny nose. If there is no temperature, then you can suspect an allergy attack or bronchial asthma. With fever, most likely we are dealing with an infectious disease. In this case, inflammation does not necessarily affect the lower respiratory tract. It can only be localized in the nasal passages and sinuses. But the secreted mucus will flow down the wall of the throat, causing irritation and the desire to cough.

- Oh, how tired I am of the runny nose and cough!

Inna writes in her review:

“I thought that my daughter had low immunity from birth, because she had a constant runny nose and cough. She explained the absence of temperature by the fact that the body was already accustomed to constant colds and was not trying to resist. Health improved only at sea. But one day I had to leave for a long time, and I took my daughter to my parents. When I returned, I was surprised: she didn’t cough. But as soon as we entered our apartment, everything started again. Then I thought that these symptoms were caused by an allergy to a cat, which I had no contact with either at sea or in my parents’ apartment. I turned to an allergist and I was right. Our Marusya now lives with a neighbor, and her daughter has stopped coughing.”

Treatment options

For a quick recovery, take several measures at once:

  • Proper care and provision of favorable conditions for the child.
  • Drug treatment, including taking syrups or mixtures, as well as inhalation using drugs.
  • The use of folk remedies (steaming the feet, compresses, expectorant mixtures and inhalations with medicinal herbs and essential oils).

Patient care and suitable microclimate

Komarovsky says: “Moms understand the word “treatment” only as stuffing them with pills, while this concept covers much more. Creating favorable conditions in a child's room is more effective than treating a wet cough with medications. But parents often neglect this, underestimating the importance of proper care.”

Recommendations of Dr. Komarovsky:

    • When coughing, provide your child with plenty of fluids. The sputum that comes out is liquid. With a lack of moisture, it becomes viscous. This one is difficult to cough up. The more water enters the body, the thinner the sputum becomes and the faster it comes out. It is better to drink non-cold carbonated mineral water, fruit juice, tea, compote, warm milk.

Carefully monitor your drinking regime.

  • The children's room should be cool - degrees. This helps maintain optimal air humidity and dilute mucus.
  • Don't stop your daily walks if you don't have a fever. On the street, the respiratory tract is ventilated and freed from infection. If a child develops a strong wet cough in the fresh air, the walk will be beneficial.
  • Ventilate the children's room several times a day.
  • Air humidity should be high: 60-70%. Otherwise, the mucous membranes dry out and coughing becomes difficult.

Medications

For the treatment of wet cough in children, the following drugs are prescribed:

  • with a mucolytic effect to reduce the viscosity of sputum;
  • with an expectorant effect to accelerate the movement of mucus through the respiratory tract to the exit.

Treatment includes the use of mucolytics and expectorants.

Popular drugs (the letters in brackets indicate the action: M - mucolytic, O - expectorant):

  • Elixir Codelac Broncho with thyme (M and O). For children from 2 years old. Costs on average 150 rubles.
  • Ambroxol syrup (M and O). Applicable from 1 year. Price - about 90 rubles. Analogs: Lazolvan, Flavomed.
  • Fluditec syrup (M). From 2 years. Cost - from 200 rubles. Analogues - Libexin Muco and Bronchobos.
  • ACC tablets and granules for preparing solution (M). From 2 years. From 200 rubles. Analogues - ACC Long, Fluimucil.

ACC - facilitates the discharge of sputum.

  • Joset syrup (M and O). For newborns (the dosage will be determined by the doctor) and older. Up to 200 rubles. Analogue - Bromhexine.
  • Syrup Doctor Mom (O). From 3 years. About 180 rubles.

With the wet type, the main task is to remove phlegm. And if you don’t cough, the infection will spread deeper.

Traditional methods

Traditional medicine recommends:

  • Drink milk half diluted with mineral water. Soothes an irritated throat, thins phlegm.
  • Drink warm milk with honey and melted butter (1 tsp per glass). The action is similar to a carbonated milk drink.

The most popular folk recipe is milk with honey and butter.

  • Every three hours give the child 1 tsp. radish juice. To prepare, cut the peeled root vegetable in half and pour the cut with honey or sprinkle with sugar. Place the halves on a plate. After an hour, everything that has fallen to the bottom is medicine.
  • Soak your feet in hot water if there is no temperature. You can add mustard or salt to the water. The method helps with a wet cough with a swollen larynx, making breathing difficult. When the blood vessels in the legs dilate due to heat, fluid in the body rushes down. The swelling subsides, breathing becomes easier. Additionally, the production of leukocytes and lymphocytes that fight infection is activated.
  • Drink decoctions of expectorant herbs from marshmallow, coltsfoot, thyme, pansies, Ivan da Marya, plantain (consultation with your doctor is required). To prepare, take 2 tbsp. dry herbs and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Place in a water bath and keep for a minute. Strain and add boiled water to 200 ml.

Herbal tea can be easily prepared at home using different herbs and fertilizing them with honey.

  • Make compresses from vegetable oil or honey heated to 50 degrees. The linen cloth is moistened and wrapped around the child. On top - wax paper, and then a warm bandage. Keep for at least two hours. You can leave it overnight. Another option is flat cakes made from two jacket potatoes, mashed with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and alcohol. They are wrapped in gauze, placed on the baby's chest and back, and the bandage is secured with a scarf. Keep it until it cools down. The heat makes the sputum thinner and the swelling goes away.

If he allows it, then before using “hot methods” make sure that you do not burn the delicate baby skin. Do not give mustard compresses to small children.

“My old proven method for coughs in children is hot milk with honey and ghee. This is how my grandmother treated me. You need to drink a whole glass before going to bed (daytime and nighttime). The irritation is immediately relieved. Then you need to cover yourself with a blanket and go to bed. After sleep, liquefied sputum easily comes out with a cough.”

Inhalations

Medicines can be taken in different ways. One of them is the inhalation method, which involves inhaling vapors containing a medicinal substance. This form of treatment is more effective than syrups, mixtures and tablets. But it requires compliance with the following rules:

  • The procedure is carried out an hour after eating. It cannot be done on an empty stomach, or immediately after eating.
  • Inhalations are carried out three times a day for 10 minutes.
  • After taking deep breaths, you need to hold your breath for a few seconds and only then exhale.

Effective preparations for inhalation (prepare solution according to instructions):

Today there is a special device for this procedure - a nebulizer. Now the treatment measure is safe and convenient for children of all ages.

“I treated a five-year-old child for a cough. My grandmother advised me to breathe over the freshly boiled potatoes. Despite the whining, she forced her son to sit under the blanket - it was good for him. And then he constantly complained of pain in his nose. The doctor said that the mucous membrane was burned. Since then, my choice has been only in favor of a nebulizer.”

Inhalations using saline or medicinal herbs will help overcome the disease.

Consequences and complications

Viruses and bacteria, having entered the body, colonize the upper respiratory tract. A runny nose appears, causing a wet cough. Snot constantly flows down the back wall of the throat, carrying with it a mass of harmful microorganisms. If left untreated, they enter the throat, causing disease.

If the disease is not treated further, the infection enters the lower respiratory tract, affecting the trachea and bronchi. Abundant production of sputum begins. But due to the high viscosity, the child’s body is not able to get rid of it completely. Therefore, mucus accumulates inside, closing the gaps in the branches of the bronchial tree. If left untreated, the cough becomes persistent (lasts more than two weeks and is difficult to treat).

Impaired ventilation of the lungs creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Inflammation begins, which can develop into a pulmonary abscess.

A wet cough, once its cause is identified, can be easily treated within two weeks. For a speedy recovery, you need not only to take the medications prescribed by your doctor, but also to ensure a favorable microclimate in the children's room. Illness is not a reason to give up your usual routine if you don’t have a fever. You can continue walking and swimming.

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Source: http://www.o-my-baby.ru/zdorovie/simptomy/kashel/vlazhnyi.htm

How to treat a wet cough in a child?

With the help of coughing, the body protects itself from any irritating factors affecting the respiratory tract. A wet cough helps remove foreign bodies, germs, toxins, viruses, dust particles and other substances from the bronchi. And when it appears in a child, parents should understand both the causes of such a cough and the need for its treatment.

How can you tell if your cough is wet?

The main difference between a wet cough and a dry cough is the presence of sputum. This is the name given to specific mucus that accumulates in the respiratory tract and is coughed up by a child. Normally, it is formed in small quantities and is eliminated with the help of rare coughs. With diseases of the respiratory tract, the volume of sputum increases significantly, which is why the child begins to cough frequently. Moreover, in many cases of the disease, the viscosity of sputum increases, which makes it difficult to cough up.

No temperature

The causes of a wet cough against a background of normal body temperature may be:

  • Bronchial asthma. The sputum coughed up during this pathology is viscous and transparent, which is why it is called glassy.
  • Allergy. Although rare, with this problem the child may cough up viscous, transparent sputum.
  • Chronic runny nose. A cough with sputum usually appears in the morning.
  • Heart failure.

In infants, a wet cough can be caused by tears, mucus from the nose or milk entering the respiratory tract. Also, a wet cough can appear during teething, when babies experience excessive salivation.

With temperature

The presence of a wet cough and a simultaneous increase in body temperature often indicates:

  • ARVI. A wet cough in such diseases often occurs during the recovery period.
  • Acute bronchitis. With such an illness, the child coughs up a large amount of sputum.
  • Pneumonia. The sputum coughed up during this disease may have a rusty tint.
  • Lung abscess. Sputum with this pathology usually contains impurities of pus.
  • Tuberculosis. There may be blood in the expectorated sputum, and the temperature is often low-grade.

Syrups and other effective preparations

Since in children it is more difficult to clear sputum due to its greater viscosity and less developed muscles of the respiratory tract, in the treatment of wet cough it is important to ensure better mucus discharge. Both herbal and synthetic preparations cope with this task.

The most popular and frequently used are presented in the table:

Name and release form

Features of action and application

This drug is based on ivy extract.

The medicine is prescribed from birth.

It has an expectorant, healing and antimicrobial effect.

The product contains no sugar or alcohol.

The course of treatment is at least 7 days.

This medicine contains medicinal plants such as aloe, licorice, ginger, elecampane, turmeric and others.

They have mucolytic and bronchodilator, as well as anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects.

The drug is indicated from 3 years of age.

This drug has a mucolytic and expectorant effect.

The medicine can be used from birth in the appropriate dosage.

The drug represents a group of mucolytics.

The active ingredient is acetylcysteine.

Approved for use from the age of two.

This medicine is based on plantain extract.

The drug has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect.

It is allowed to be taken from one year of age.

This remedy has an expectorant and mucolytic effect due to its carbocisteine ​​content.

Syrup containing 20 mg of active ingredient per 1 ml is approved for use from 2 years of age.

Multicomponent herbal preparation with anti-inflammatory, expectorant and mucolytic effect.

Approved for use in children over 6 months.

Duration of use is 5-7 days.

The preparation contains thyme oil.

This medicine has an expectorant and bactericidal effect.

The drug is prescribed from 2 years of age.

The drug can be taken from infancy.

This medicine is based on ivy leaf extract.

The drug is prescribed for at least 7 days.

The active ingredient of this drug is ambroxol.

The product can be taken from birth.

Herbion plantain syrup

The medicine is based on herbal ingredients.

The drug coats the bronchial mucosa and reduces inflammation.

The syrup can be washed down with water or tea.

It is prescribed from the age of 2 years.

The medicine can be used from 3 years of age.

He is discharged for 5-7 days.

For young children, the tablets are crushed to form a powder and then dissolved in warm water.

Older children should chew the tablets before eating.

Medicines for infants

If a wet cough bothers a baby, the child should be given any medications with extreme caution and only after consultation with a pediatrician. As a rule, children under one year of age are prescribed syrups with herbal ingredients, but in their use it is important to take into account age recommendations and the risk of allergies.

Among the drugs used in infancy are Gedelix, Dry cough syrup, Linkas (from 6 months), Lazolvan, Herbion ivy syrup, Licorice root syrup, Prospan, Ambrobene, Bronchipret (from 3 months).

Inhalations

If children over 3 years of age have difficulty coughing up viscous mucus, steam inhalation can be performed. For such procedures, herbal decoctions are prepared, and menthol, soda, and various essential oils are added to the water. It is important to ensure that the liquid is not too hot (to avoid the risk of steam burns).

The procedures are performed an hour after meals. The baby should calmly inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes. After inhalation carried out in autumn or winter, the child should not go outside for several hours. Medicines cannot be used for such inhalations. It is also prohibited to perform procedures if there is difficulty breathing and a barking cough, purulent sputum and elevated body temperature.

If you have a nebulizer, inhalations can be carried out using such a device. It is best to use saline solution or mineral water to moisturize the mucous membranes. This will safely and effectively loosen sticky mucus.

Wet cough in the morning

A cough with sputum production immediately after waking up is usually associated with the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract at night. This situation is possible with chronic sinusitis or rhinitis, as well as with tonsillitis and adenoiditis. During sleep, with such pathologies, mucus rolls into the respiratory tract, and in the morning the child coughs it up. Also, a morning wet cough can be a symptom of bronchial asthma or allergies.

Komarovsky's opinion

A popular pediatrician advises treating not a cough as a symptom, but the disease that caused it. Regarding wet cough, Komarovsky’s recommendations are unchanged - humidify the air in the nursery, walk in the fresh air, give more fluids.

Komarovsky considers taking medications that dilute sputum and help cough it up to be as effective as the above measures. He emphasizes that all medications should be prescribed by a pediatrician, and drinking, hydration, ventilation and walking are methods available to every mother and every child to help quickly cure a wet cough.

Some more tips from the doctor in the following videos.

Folk remedies

To treat a wet cough, you can use the following traditional medicine recipes:

  • Brew mother and stepmother, marshmallow and oregano. To do this, you need to take 8 g of these herbs and 500 ml of water that has just boiled. After infusing for 1.5 hours, give the baby from 1 teaspoon to 1/2 cup, depending on age.
  • Make an infusion according to the recipe described above from marshmallow, licorice, pine buds, anise, fennel and sage.
  • Boil the viburnum berries for a few minutes and grind them, then mix them with honey 1 to 1. Give to the child several times a day.
  • Rub badger fat into the baby's chest.

Adviсe

  • The child must be seen by a doctor if the appearance of a wet cough is accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, chest pain or shortness of breath. Also, be sure to call a doctor if the sputum is green or contains traces of blood.
  • To speed up recovery, the baby should be given a lot of liquid in the form of decoctions, tea, mineral water, compote, and fruit juice.
  • Do not give a child with a wet cough medications that suppress the cough reflex. Due to their use, mucus ceases to be effectively separated from the respiratory tract, as a result of which complications may develop.
  • One of the methods for improving sputum separation is drainage massage. Any mother can master it, and such a procedure is possible even in infancy.
  • If your child has a normal body temperature when coughing, you should go for a walk with your baby. During movements in the fresh air, phlegm will be separated more efficiently.

Prevention

Optimal conditions for normal ventilation of the lungs must be created in the child's room. The temperature in the nursery should be approximately +18+20°C, the air should be humidified (this is especially important during the heating season) and clean.

The room should be regularly cleaned and cleared of things that accumulate dust. It is also important to exclude exposure of the child’s respiratory tract to smoke, strong perfume odors and household chemicals.

To prevent infectious and colds that manifest as wet coughs, it is recommended:

  • Properly organize the child's daily routine.
  • Walk outdoors in any weather.
  • Perform hardening procedures.
  • Monitor your baby’s personal hygiene and strengthen its control during the cold season.
  • Provide a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals in the children's menu or give the baby vitamin complexes.

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Source: http://www.o-krohe.ru/kashel/mokryj/