A cough can be an indication of a number of possible conditions. The following list of symptoms will help to narrow down the cause.
Symptoms
Symptoms
- Chest or nasal congestion
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Sneezing;
- Cough
- Body aches
- Fever
- Headache
- Breathing trouble (from congestion)
Likely Cause Cold
Symptoms
- Typical cold symptoms (See Colds)
- Deep chest cough that progressively worsens (sounds like a bark)
- High fever
- Hard breathing that is noisy
- Whistle when inhaling
- Wheezing when exhaling
- Symptoms are more severe at night
Likely Cause Croup
Symptoms
- Typical cold symptoms (See Colds)
- Possible low-grade fever
- Cough that worsens and is fast and labored
- Wheezing
Likely Cause Bronchitis
Symptoms
- Typical cold symptoms (See Colds)
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Possible low-grade fever
- Harsh cough that is non productive
- Wheezing
- A child’s ribs will move inward when breathing
Likely Cause Bronchitis/Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Symptoms
- Sever cold symptoms (See Colds) come on abruptly
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Dry cough
- Possible fever
- Possible vomiting
- Headache
- Body aches
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Wheezing
Likely Cause Flu
Symptoms
- Cough that is dry and non productive
- Itchy, red, eyes that are watery
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Trouble breathing
- Hives
- Rash
- Possible stomach cramps
- Possible vomiting and diarrhea
Likely Cause Allergies
Symptoms
- Cough and throat irritation when exposed to smoke
Likely Cause Environmental Irritant
Symptoms
- Chest congestion
- Tightness in chest
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Cough that gets worse at night
- History of allergies
- Family history of allergies or asthma
Likely Cause Asthma
Symptoms
- Typical cold symptoms (See Colds) that continue to worsen
- Persistent cough
- Hard and fast breathing that is much labored
- Fever and chills
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Headache
- Pain in the chest or stomach
- Wheezing
Likely Cause Pneumonia
Symptoms
- Sore throat or pain in the throat
- Coughing or wheezing
- Breathlessness
- Drooling
Likely Cause Swallowed object (Seek medical attention immediately)
Symptoms
- Repeated small bursts of coughs that are followed by a struggle for breath
- Makes a whooping sound upon inhaling between coughs
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Red eyes
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Child has not had the full series of DTaP vaccinations
Likely Cause Whooping Cough (Pertusis)
Symptoms
- Has a chronic chough
- Gets colds often
- History of sinusitis
- Coughs up a yellow or greenish phlegm
- Eats well but does not gain weight
- Foul smelling stools that are heavy and greasy
- Skin has a salty taste
Likely Cause Cystic Fibrosis
