Disease subjects 話題の病気
Prolonged Cough 長引く咳
Most cough caused by a common cold lasts a week, but some may linger a few
weeks that may make you start to worry about the prolonged cough. There
are various causes of prolonged cough, including
(i) a prolonged common
cold（including mycoplasma infection etc.）
(ii) following a previous cold
(iii)asthma or asthma like cough (allergic cough)
(iv) runny nose and
(v)others.
(i).a prolonged common cold（including mycoplasma
infection etc.）
Infections caused by some kinds of cold viruses, bacteria, or mycoplasma
etc may keep stimulating bronchial tubes to cause a prolonged cough without
fever.
(ii).following a previous cold
After a previous cold, it's possible that having irritated bronchial tubes
for as long as a few weeks.
(iii).asthma or asthma like cough (allergic cough)
It is seen more often among newborns or children whose bronchial immunity
is poor.
(iv).runny nose
If the nose is running a lot, the nasal discharge may flow back to the
throat to cause coughing.
(v).others
There may be other causes besides (i) 〜 (iv).
Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the cause.
- (i) A prolonged common cold
Bronchodilators, antitussire, and antibiotics may be used. - (ii) Following a previous cold & (iii) asthma or asthma like cough (allergic
cough)
Bronchodilators, antitussire, and antiallergic agents may be used. - (iv) Runny nose
In this case, it is recommended to help your baby remove the nasal discharge (use a nasal aspirator) and pull the discharge out of the nose. If it is too hard to do this at home, go to see an ENT doctor. - (vi)Others
Some may be required to have a blood test and a chest X-ray.
Home Care
- When having a bad cough at night, keep the child in a semi-upright position or hold upright the infant or baby.
- Keeping drinking small amounts of warm water or tea may help soothe a bad coughing.
- The phlegm piled in bronchial tubes causes badly coughing. In order to make the phlegm soft and easy to move out, it is very important to give your child enough liquids all day.
- Holding the coughing baby upright and patting the back (repeat doing this every a few minutes) may help move the phlegm up from bronchial tubes and soothe coughing.
