Cough in babies, know the type and how to deal with it & bull; hello healthy

Cough is a disease that is often experienced by babies. This condition often makes him uncomfortable and parents are confused because the little one can't say what he feels. Giving cough medicine to your little one can not use ordinary cough medicine. The following is an explanation of coughs in babies, from the type to the right cough medicine.

What coughs often affect babies?

Coughing in babies is common. As the body's natural response, occasional coughs are normal. Babies under four months of age generally won't have a persistent cough. Therefore, if the cough in a baby continues, it can indicate that there is a particular health problem.

As parents, it is important to know the types of coughs that are common in babies. The reason is, each type of cough has different causal factors so that the method of handling and the type of cough medicine is different. In addition, coughing in babies can also be a symptom of certain diseases that can endanger the health of the baby.

The following is an explanation of the types of coughs in babies and their symptoms and causes.

1. Cough cold or flu symptoms in babies

Runny nose and sore throat can be an indication that your little one will have a cold or flu. In addition, babies may experience coughs. Two common types of coughs that babies experience when they have the flu include:

Cough with phlegm

A cough with phlegm is a type of cough in children that is accompanied by sputum discharge. In infants, the cause of cough with phlegm is generally a viral and bacterial infection that occurs in the respiratory tract.

The infection causes the airways to produce excess mucus, which prevents air from flowing in the respiratory tract. Excess phlegm also stimulates coughing. When babies have a cold or flu, they are more at risk of developing a cough with phlegm.

Dry Cough

In contrast to a cough with phlegm, a dry cough is not accompanied by sputum discharge. This type of cough in babies is usually triggered by allergies and cold or flu viruses.

These conditions cause events post-nasal drip which makes the nose produce excess mucus so that it falls into the back of the throat and stimulates coughing.

2. Cough croup in babies

Cough croup is a respiratory infection that occurs when the larynx or voice box, windpipe (trachea), and bronchi, which are the airways to the lungs, become irritated and swollen.

Swelling of a number of these airways can cause narrowing of the airways so that the baby is difficult to breathe and the baby will cough like a bark.

Symptoms of cough in this baby are in the form of heat, fever, and runny nose in the nose. In certain conditions, when a cough in a baby gets worse it can cause your little one to have shortness of breath so that the skin over time turns pale or turns blue due to lack of oxygen.

Apart from being caused by influenza or flu in children, parainfluenza RSV, measles, and adenovirus, coughs in these babies can also be caused by allergies and increased stomach acid. This cough can affect babies aged 3 months, but on average it can affect children aged 5 to over 15 years.

3. Whooping cough in babies

Babies are the age group most susceptible to whooping cough (pertussis) or more popularly known as the hundred-day cough. Apart from a prolonged cough, whooping cough is also characterized by an inhalation that makes a high pitched sound " whoop "Or wheezing (sounds giggling). This cough in babies is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria which infects the respiratory tract.

Symptoms that appear can include heat, fever, and runny nose in the nose. These bacteria usually infect babies aged six months to three years. When experiencing this cough, the baby also has the potential to develop complications that cause serious health problems such as pneumonia, epilepsy, and bleeding in the brain.

Because it is caused by bacteria, whooping cough can be treated by taking antibiotics for whooping cough, namely erythromycin , of course, through a special prescription from a doctor.

Early precautions such as giving the DTap vaccine can also be taken to reduce the risk of transmitting whooping cough to infants.

4. Cough symptoms of bronchiolitis

Many things can trigger the constriction of the respiratory tract, including pollution and irritants from the surrounding environment. This condition can lead to a respiratory tract infection known as bronchiolitis, which is usually experienced by babies around one year old.

If the infection gets worse, bronchiolitis can threaten the life of your little one.

In addition, coughing in this baby can also be caused by cold weather. This occurs because the tiny airways to the lungs become infected and slimy. The baby has difficulty breathing.

Symptoms that appear in the form of runny nose in the nose, dry cough, loss of appetite. Over time it will cause colds, ear infections, coughs croup, and pneumonia .

5. Cough symptoms of pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs which is generally caused by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by a virus. This condition causes the lungs to produce excess phlegm resulting in a buildup of phlegm in the lung area. Therefore pneumonia is also known as wet lung.

This disease can trigger cough symptoms in babies. In addition, babies who cough due to pneumonia are also usually accompanied by thick enough phlegm and show a yellowish green color.

In severe conditions, coughing in babies can also be accompanied by blood, so it requires medical attention as soon as possible. Treatment of this disease depends on the cause. Pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection can be cured with antibiotics.

6. Cough due to asthma in babies

This cough is usually experienced by babies who have asthma. Asthma itself occurs when there is narrowing of the airways due to inflammation. Factors that trigger asthma cough can be caused by factors that also cause asthma to recur.

Symptoms that appear generally appear to be difficult for babies to breathe with retraction or pulling in the chest, and are followed by symptoms that usually occur when experiencing flu, namely an itchy and stuffy nose, these complaints can be accompanied by watery eyes.

This cough in babies can last during the day, but usually gets worse at night or when the surrounding temperature turns cold.

How to deal with coughs in babies?

Overcoming coughs in babies cannot be done carelessly. Drug administration over-the-counter (OTC) or pharmacy drugs are also not recommended because they have harmful side effects for the baby. You should not panic when your baby has a cough, always watch for the symptoms and try the following:

1. Increase body fluids

Additional fluids can make it easier for him to cough and can reduce the mucus in his nose so he can breathe easily as well. You can give him water, milk, juice. You can also give him warm chicken soup, or hot chocolate, which can soothe his sore throat.

Make sure to give it warm, not hot. However, this can only be done for babies over six months of age. We recommend that for babies under six months, extra breastfeeding is highly recommended, because breast milk is believed to increase the baby's immunity. In addition, you can also give him formula milk.

2. Give a little honey

Honey contains antioxidants, antibacterials that are good for health. In addition, honey also contains vitamin C which is good for the body's immune system. Giving a little honey can relieve cough in babies. Give your baby ½ teaspoon of honey before he goes to bed.

However, this honey treatment can only be done for babies over one year old, you cannot give it at an age below because it will make them sick.

3. Raising the baby's head

When you find it difficult to breathe or have a stuffy nose, you will try to sleep with your head slightly raised. You can also try this on your baby, put a pillow that is not too thick or a towel that has been folded, on the mat where your baby's head will lie. This will help make it easier for him to breathe.

4. Choose foods that relieve coughs

For babies aged six months or under it should be sufficient to focus on breastfeeding and formula milk. If your baby is close to a year old and over, you can choose soft foods for your baby, such as pudding, yogurt , and apple pulp. If they like warm food, you can give them chicken broth or pudding which was just made.

5. Adequate rest time

Make sure your baby is getting enough rest. Coughing causes her to lose her appetite, can make her restless and have difficulty resting. Try putting him to sleep when it's time to rest, if he falls asleep easily in your arms, you should not lay him down until he falls asleep. If he is easy to sleep in his bed, you can lay down on the bed.

6. Give fever-reducing drugs

You can also give paracetamol to babies, if your baby is 37 weeks old and weighs more than 4 kg. You can also give ibuprofen to your baby, if he is more than three months old and weighs at least 5 kg.

7. Provides hot steam

Hot steam can relieve nasal congestion and coughs. You can boil hot water, then put it in a small bucket or basin, keep it close to your baby, but make sure your baby is not exposed to the hot water.

You can also sit in the bathroom with your baby, and let the warm shower run. The hot steam will smooth the airways for breathing.

Should I take him to the doctor?

You should see a doctor if your baby is under three months of age, regardless of the pain. In addition, you should also visit a doctor, if the baby experiences these conditions when coughing:

• The cough didn't go away after five days
• Your baby's cough is getting worse, you can tell by the sound
• If your baby is under three months, the temperature reaches 38 degrees C. If she is under six months, the temperature reaches 39 degrees C. At that time, you should take her to the doctor
• Seen tightness accompanied by retraction of the chest
• The sputum that comes out is green, brown and yellow

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