COUGHING( CHILDREN) 109
Does your child have a runny nose?
Most of the time or very often
Has developed a runny nose within the past few days
No runny nose
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR Your child may have an allergy or possibly enlarged adenoids.
Does your child have a fever – a temperature of 100.4 ° F( 38 ° C) or above?
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Your child probably has a viral illness, such as a cold or flu.
• Follow the advice for bringing down a fever( p. 164).
• Try inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water( p. 165) or sitting in a steamy bathroom.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if symptoms worsen, if your child is no better in 2 days, or if other symptoms develop.
When does the coughing occur?
Mainly at night
After exercise
When out in the cold
None of the above
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS Your child’ s symptoms may be due to asthma.
• Discourage your child from activities that provoke coughing.
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to dust, pollen, or animal fur.
Fever
No fever
Are there smokers in the home or might your child have been smoking?
Smokers in the home
Child might smoke
Neither
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS if you cannot identify a possible cause for your child’ s cough from this chart.
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Your child probably has a cold.
• Try inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water( p. 165) or sitting in a steamy bathroom.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if symptoms worsen, if your child is no better in 2 days, or if other symptoms develop.
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Your child’ s cough may be a response to being in a smoky atmosphere or to his or her own smoking.
• Make sure that no one smokes in the house and avoid taking your child into a smoky atmosphere.
• If you suspect that your child may be smoking, encourage him or her to stop.