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Kids Health Info

Cough

  • Key points

    • Coughing is a way for the body to clear the lungs and airways.
    • Cough is a very common problem in children. It is usually caused by a common cold or viral infection.
    • It is common for a dry cough to continue for several weeks after a cold.
    • Most coughs do not need treatment and will get better without antibiotics.
    • There is no scientific evidence that cough medicines help treat cough in children, and they are not recommended.
    • Honey may help a cough, but you should only give it to children over 12 months old.
    • In rare cases, coughing can be a sign of a serious illness.

    What is a cough?

    Coughing is a reflex that helps the body clear the lungs and airways. It is a very common symptom in children, usually caused by a respiratory tract infection like the common cold.

    Based on their sound, there are two main types of cough: productive (wet or moist) and non-productive (dry).

    Productive (wet or moist) cough: A cough that sounds chesty, as if there is mucous or phlegm in the chest. If your child has a daily wet cough that continues for more than 4 weeks and is not getting better, you should speak with their doctor.

    Non-productive (dry) cough: A cough that does not sound like there is mucous or phlegm in the chest. It often feels tickly or irritating.

    In some cases, children may have a dry cough for many weeks after a viral infection – this is called a post-viral cough, and antibiotics do not usually help.

    Occasionally, a bacterial infection in the throat or chest may cause a cough. Your doctor may prescribe your child antibiotics to treat the infection in these cases.

    Short-term cough

    • Lasts less than four weeks.
    • Usually caused by a virus.
    • May also be caused by asthma.

    Long-term cough

    • Often called persistent or chronic cough.
    • Lasts more than four weeks.
    • May be caused by a range of conditions, such as post-viral cough, asthma, allergic rhinitis protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) or sinusitis among many others.

    How to care for a cough at home

    If your child is otherwise well, it is unlikely their cough is a symptom of a serious condition.

    • Ensure your child gets lots of rest and drinks plenty of fluids when coughing.
    • Honey may reduce the severity and duration of a cough. As a short-term solution, if your child is older than 12 months, you could give them one to two teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bedtime. Do not give honey to children under 12 months old, as there may be a risk of a rare but serious condition called botulism.
    • Cigarette smoke or e-cigarettes (vaping) will make the cough worse, so do not expose your child to smoke.
    • There is no evidence that cough medicines can help children with cough. Cough medicines can be harmful to children – especially those under six years.
    • Antibiotics do not help with coughs that are caused by viruses.

    When to get help

    Call an ambulance (000) if:
    • your child has trouble breathing.
    • your child turns blue or looks very pale.
    • your child is drowsy or does not respond.
    • your child is choking.

    Go to a hospital if:
    • your child has a history of choking on food or an object before the cough started.

    See a doctor or health professional if:
    • the treatment you are giving your child is not working as you expect.
    • your child looks unwell or is lethargic (low energy).
    • your child’s cough has been present for more than four weeks.
    • your child’s cough is not getting better, it is getting worse, or it is interfering with daytime activities and/or sleep.

    Look after your child at home if:
    • their cough is not causing them distress.
    • they do not have any other symptoms.

    Common questions about cough

    My child’s cough is keeping them awake at night. What can I do?

    If your child is over 12 months old, you could try giving them honey to soothe their throat. Do not give honey to children under 12 months.

    Could my child’s cough be asthma?

    If your child has a persistent cough at night, they might have asthma. Usually, children with asthma will also have other symptoms, such as wheezing and trouble breathing. They may also have other related conditions like allergies and eczema. If you are worried your child may have asthma, speak with their doctor for more information.

    Is it okay to send my child to childcare or school if they have a cough?

    If your child is unwell with a fever, runny nose, and cough, it is best to keep them home to reduce the chance of spreading their infection to others. However, a cough can last for many weeks after your child has recovered from their infection, and there is no need to keep them home from childcare or school for that long. If your child’s cough is caused by asthma, they can still go to school; just make sure they have an up-to-date asthma action plan from their doctor.

    Will paracetamol or ibuprofen help my child’s cough?

    Paracetamol and ibuprofen do not treat cough. These medicines mostly help relieve pain and reduce fever.

    My child has been diagnosed with habit cough. What does this mean?

    Habit cough is an ongoing cough in the daytime with no medical cause. Children with a habit cough often feel like they have something in their throat they want to clear, but coughing does not get rid of the feeling. Although a habit cough can be frustrating, it is harmless. It is most common in children aged between 6 and 12 years.

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      Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Respiratory department, with input from the General Medicine and Emergency departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

      Reviewed May 2025

      Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


    Disclaimer

    This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.