Couging and Not stopping..for 2 Days

Updated on February 07, 2011
S.C. asks from Troy, MI
14 answers

We have been to the doctors twice since Tuesday and nothing but a "viral" infection...BUT the cough goes on forever!!! not really deep croup cough..its almost like a gaging cough....any home remedies..he is not a big fan of things that taste bad..(Meds, lemons and honey..well he thinks it taste bad..lol) one doc said Honey does the trick..WELL not yet then the other doc (same practice) said triaminic night time cough and cold...I AM NOT A BIG fan of cough meds at all..I have probably used them 4 times in 5.5 yrs on either of my kids...My son is five and I am at my witts end!! we have a humidifier and I have used steamy bathroom....HELPP!!!!!!

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Well you said no honey and lemon, but it works! My husband hates this too, but he coughed and complained so much, I made him drink it.

1 cup water with juice from 1 small lemon or half a large one to a boil. Add one tablespoon honey and THEN add about 3 tablespoons of oregano. Put the oregano in a coffee filter so it doesn't get inside the lemon tea. One cup every night for 3 nights...done!

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K.U.

answers from Dallas on

Rub some Vicks Vapor Rub on the bottom of his feet, it works!!

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K.L.

answers from Washington DC on

What about mucinex? My son is almost 3 and had a post-nasal-drip-cough that was gagging him. I bought children's Mucinex and give him 1/4 tsp before bed. It was enough to help him stop coughing and be able to sleep.

I also put vicks vapor rub on the bottoms of his feet, his chest and his back, then put his pjs on him.

He went from having a terrible cold to barely having a cough in 2 days!

And don't forget to boost his Vitamin C to make his immune system stronger!

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K.A.

answers from Saginaw on

It sounds gross, but trust me! It is pretty good! I was told about this on here also and it really does work and it is good for the whole family! Lemon flavored fish oil...tastes like a mild lemon drop!It has ZERO fish flavor. I also use benadryl for them at night. Works great!

My boys automatically just go in fridge once a day and get a teaspoon of the fish oil. And trust me! They are picky!!! I also use honey.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Be wary of the advice to use Vicks. Actual research shows it is just as likely to cause additional congestion as it is to relieve congestion or cough. I get asthma attacks from strong menthol smells, and I've known others who do, as well. So if you try it, keep a close eye on the results.

I'm so sorry your little guy is coughing so hard. I recently had three episodes of that kind of cough in two years, lasting for 3-4 weeks each time. It is exhausting, and eventually the cough itself irritates the bronchial tubes and creates more coughing. So I wouldn't hesitate to use what the doctors suggest. My doctor also recommended Mucinex to loosen the phlegm so I could cough it up better – it seemed to help. You might ask if this is safe for your child.

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

I have used Delsym cough syrup and it works. They have a night time version but the taste is not great in my opinion. My kids and I had it last year and almost drove my husband nuts. Our girls would cough so hard, gag and throw up at night!! I cut out all dairy and we drank lots of water and juice that I diluted a little. I also put folded blankets under their mattresses at the head of their beds to elevate their heads. They would also cough more when they wore the thick, footed pjs because they would get too warm. If it gets worse or you hear any wheezing, take him back to
the dr. Hang in there!

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C.R.

answers from Kalamazoo on

My 6 yr old DS hates honey too. He also hates soda, most juices, pedialite and sports drinks. He recently had the stomach flu and I was to give him sports drink to help rehydrate him and help settle his stomach. Truthfully, I wouldn't give him any of the above except honey anyway because we avoid corn syrup/HFCS in our house. Anyway...what I did was dissolve a tablespoon of honey into 6oz of warm water, then I presented it to him in a cough syrup cup. I figured if he can chug that nasty cherry cough med, he can chug a shot of honey water. I told him it was medicine and might taste funny, but it would help his belly. I had him do a shot of it each half hour or so until it was gone. You could see he started feeling better immediately.

Kids know medicine doesn't taste good, but somehow they manage to take it anyway. Try brewing up some honey-lemon tea, put a little local honey in it (cut it with some water, if you want) and present it in small, regular doses as cough medicine. Sometimes putting it in a forbidden glass or letting them drink it from a straw can entice them.

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K.T.

answers from Detroit on

Sad to say, this virus is widespread in our area right now. Since New Years Eve, I've lived on sugar-free throat lozenges mainly to keep my throat moist (just make sure his teeth are brushed because this is h*** o* enamel). I tried the Vicks on the feet (then socks) and it seemed to help but not long-term. I tried Mucinex and that made it looser but doesn't stop the cough.
My mom's remedy (he will not like) is tea with black pepper (as much as can be tolerated)....something about the pepper stops the gagging cough.
Sudafed Shower Soothers also enhance the steam experience by opening up the lungs a little. He could just sit in the bathroom while the shower soother is in the shower and breathe in the vapors. Also, when my son gets stuffy (at 8) I still put Baby Vapor Bath in his bath.

Having said all that, be vigilant for wheezing. I use a stethoscope to listen to the breathing so I can catch when it goes from a cold to bronchitis. I've heard of people going in for these viruses getting pneumonia within days so keep watch. My doc said it's a long haul to run through the virus, but there's a lot of secondary infections resulting.

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D.C.

answers from Huntsville on

Try a piece of peppermint or gum. Sometimes that works well. Anything to keep his throat damp.Good luck

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S.F.

answers from Detroit on

My son gets sick often and usually with a cough that last for days. At night we do give him either triaminic or just plain robutussin. I try not to though, but it does work well some nights. I have also rubbed vics vapor rub on his feet. Don't ask why, I have no idea but I read it, tried it, and it worked. Thick coat, then socks on.

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M.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

It might be the yuck going down the back of his throat. You have to stop that. An drink LOTS of fluids, not milk or anything sugary it just makes more mucus.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

thats what my daughter sounds like who is asthmatic. anyways what i do for her is this. she is 3. i give her 1 dose of benadryl, then a 1/2 dose of a cough med. then since shes asthmatic she also gets her meds for that. it works for us doing it that way. the benadryl helps to dry my daughters airways up

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P.B.

answers from Detroit on

My son is 3 1/2 so he can't have the otc cold meds and I'm not a big fan of them either. I've found what works for my son is I make him a cup of warm water and dunk a tea bag only 2 or 3 times then put a teaspoon of honey in it. It is sweet with just a touch of tea taste to it and he thinks he's really big drinking it. The tea & honey help soothe his throat and break up the mucus. The other trick I use, which surprisingly works really well, is before bed, I coat the bottoms of his feet with Vicks and then put socks on him. It helps with the coughing and the stuffy nose. It almost seems the smell is stronger for your sinuses when on their feet than on their jammies! I hope your son feels better soon!

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D.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi S.---First thing is of course to drink lots and lots of fluids and then drink some more. We need those fluids to make it easier to remove the bad stuff. I have a healthy foods directory as here is what it says about coughs:
Garlic, ginger, lemon and onions.
Tangerines, limes. Honey.
Cinnamon, oregano, thyme.

I guess the trick is to get your son to use these remedies despite his displeasure with the taste of them. Cough or no cough, what is HIS choice? I've also read an article about spicy chicken soup, like with hot peppers, being especially effective with congestion and mucous. Then the whole family would benefit from eating double servings of fruits and veggies to help the immune system do what it has to do to protect the body better in the future. I am taking classes taught by a Naturopath who has her PhD in Nutrition and I would be happy to share what I am learning if you would like to know more about or verify what you are doing to optimize your family's health. Good luck ! D.

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