I cannot emphasise this enough – trust your instincts.
health
The cough that lingers
“ Winter coughs are often triggered by viral infections, a post-nasal drip, cold air, or lingering airway irritation after a cold or flu,” Dr Mafongosi explains.“ It’ s not unusual for a cough to last two to three weeks after other symptoms have cleared.”
I cannot emphasise this enough – trust your instincts.
That said, a cough that stretches beyond three to four weeks, worsens over time or significantly disrupts sleep deserves medical attention.
A cough also needs to be checked if it’ s accompanied by fast or laboured breathing, wheezing or a‘ whistling’ sound, high or persistent fever, vomiting, chest pain, exhaustion, or if it occurs in very young babies.
“ I cannot emphasise this enough: trust your instincts,” says Dr Mafongosi.“ If something doesn’ t feel right, it’ s always better to have it checked.”
Prevention: small habits, big impact
While it’ s impossible to wrap your child in a germ-proof bubble, small daily habits can dramatically reduce the spread of winter bugs at home.
Dr Mafongosi recommends:
• Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 30 seconds
• Cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly
• Teaching children to cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue
• Avoiding sharing cups, utensils and towels
• Keeping sick children at home to protect others
Vaccination is another powerful preventative tool. Flu, pneumonia and routine paediatric immunisations are covered by most medical schemes as preventative benefits, yet many parents don’ t realise this.
You may be tempted to invest in an immune“ booster”, but according to Dr Mafongosi, there’ s no magic fix. Instead, focus on:
• A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein and wholegrains
• Adequate sleep( school-aged children need nine to 11 hours per night)
• Staying well hydrated
• Age-appropriate supplements, if advised by a healthcare professional
• An annual flu vaccination
“ Recovery doesn’ t end when the fever breaks,” Dr Mafongosi reminds parents.
She suggests allowing extra rest even after returning to school; offering nourishing meals and fluids; gradually easing children back into activities, and keeping an eye on lingering symptoms like fatigue or cough.
“ A gentle return to routine helps the body to fully bounce back,” she says. �
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