Cough is simply a reflex the body uses to clear the lungs. However persistent cough is a major concern among parents. The most common reason for a cough in children is an infection, usually a viral infection that is very common during the cold and flu season. Children get a lot of infection through the year, sometimes 8 to 10 times a year.

When should you worry about a cough

You should worry when the cough has been lingering for more than  3 to 4 weeks. At this point, there may be something else going on and you should talk to your physician. You have to be prepared to describe your cough to the  physician . You may be asked questions such as :

• how long the cough has been there
• if it is a wet or dry cough
• does the cough wake the child up from sleep
• does it occur during the night or day
• does the child cough when they are running or playing around the house or when they are more excited

You should also let the doctor know if there are other symptoms present. Symptoms such as

• wheezing
• congestion
• runny nose

These will help your pediatrician evaluate the child and order the necessary test to help determine what is going on.