Your Child’s Coughs and Sore Throats

Coughs and sore throats are two of the most common childhood complaints. It’s likely that your child will get one, or both at some point.

Learn more about coughs and sore throats, why your child gets them, and advice on relieving these symptoms.

What is a cough?

A cough is a healthy and important reflex that helps protect the airways in the throat and chest. Your child coughs when nerves in areas such as the pharynx (upper throat), larynx (throat), trachea (main breathing tube) or large bronchi (breathing tubes in the lungs) are irritated.

Coughs are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection like a cold or flu. But it may be the sign of something more serious, or may be caused by other medical conditions, so it’s important to get it checked out if you’re worried.

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is visible as inflammation or redness at the back of the throat. The main parts of the throat that are usually affected are the pharynx ( causing pharyngitis), the tonsils (causing tonsillitis), or the larynx (which contains the vocal cords and results in laryngitis).

Sore throats can be caused by pollution, viral or bacterial infections as colds or flu, as well as allergy triggers, and dry air.

Relieving coughs and sore throats

• Give your child soft food and keep them hydrated

• Pain relievers like Nurofen for Children can help relieve the pains of colds, flu and sore throats

• Don’t give cough medicines to children under 6 years

• For children over 6 years, over-the-counter cough medicines and throat lozenges are available

For more information please contact your doctor.