Cough, colds & chest infections
Young children can catch several colds a year. Most are caused by viruses and get better on their own, though a cough can take a few weeks to clear completely.
This guide is general information for parents, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your child, contact a doctor.
Go to emergency straight away if
Go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call 1122.
- Your child is struggling to breathe, or the skin pulls in between or under the ribs with each breath.
- Your child is grunting, or pauses in their breathing.
- The lips or tongue look blue or grey.
- Your child is too breathless to talk, eat or drink.
- Your child is very drowsy or hard to wake.
What to expect
A cold usually brings a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a mild fever and a cough. Symptoms are often worst in the first few days and improve within 7 to 10 days. A cough can last up to 3 weeks.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses, so they do not help a cold. The doctor will prescribe them when there are signs of a bacterial infection.
Helping your child at home
- Offer plenty of fluids and let your child rest.
- Saline nose drops can help a baby with a blocked nose to feed.
- For children over 1 year, a little honey can ease a cough. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year.
- Do not give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children under 6 unless a doctor advises it.
- Keep your child away from cigarette smoke.
When it might be more than a cold
A chest infection such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis can follow a cold. Signs include fast breathing, a high fever that returns or does not settle, and a child who seems more unwell instead of slowly getting better.
Book an appointment if
- Your child is breathing faster than usual, or you can hear a wheeze.
- The fever lasts more than 3 days, or comes back after settling.
- Your child has ear pain or a discharge from the ear.
- The cough lasts more than 3 weeks, or comes in bouts that end in a whoop or vomiting.
- Your baby is feeding much less than usual.
Dr Amir Rasheed sees children at 56 Sultan Mehmood Rd, Mehmood Booti, Shalamar Town, Lahore, 54000. Monday–Saturday, 7:00 pm–midnight. Sunday, 11:30 am–5:00 pm.
Good care starts with a conversation.
Request a consultation with Dr Amir Rasheed. Clinic staff will confirm an available time.