COUGH

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR COUGH

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If:

Severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, unable to speak or cry because of difficulty breathing, making grunting noises with each breath).
Child has passed out with coughing spasms.
Lips are bluish when not coughing.

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

Your child looks or acts very sick.
Choked on a small object that could be caught in the throat.
Difficulty breathing (less than 1 year old) not relieved by cleaning the nose.
Difficulty breathing (older than 1 year ) present when not coughing.
Lips have turned bluish during coughing.
Birth to 12 weeks with fever above 100.4°F (38°C) rectally.
Fever above 104°F (40°C) at any age.
Severe chest pain, coughed up blood or wheezing.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

You think your child needs to be seen.
Continuous (nonstop) coughing.
Age less than 1 month old with any cough.
Age 1 to 3 months with a cough for more than 3 days.
Earache or sinus pain/pressure is also present.
Fever present for more than 3 days.
Chest pain present even when not coughing.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

You have other questions or concerns.
Coughing has kept home from school for 3 or more days.
Symptoms of nasal allergy are also present.
Cough has been present for more than 3 weeks.

Parent Care at Home If

Cough with no complications and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2002

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