If your child has a cough or cold, the experienced team at American Pediatrics offers same-day sick visits, after hours care, and telehealth appointments to patients in Corona, Eastvale, and Irvine. Coughs and colds can develop quickly and make your child feel worse if it progresses. The team provides prompt care to diagnose and treat your child’s symptoms. Call the nearest office or book an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.
The most common cause of a cough in children is an upper respiratory infection. These coughs may sound barky or cause high-pitched whistling sounds.
If your child develops a chronic (ongoing) cough that persists for several days or weeks, it could be due to an underlying condition such as asthma, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), or post-nasal drip.
When your child has a cold, it can affect their breathing and cause symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, fever and chills, and headaches. It can also cause coughing.
If your child comes into contact with someone else who has cough or cold symptoms, they’re more likely to get ill themselves. Fortunately, these illnesses are highly treatable with at-home treatments and professional care.
At American Pediatrics, the experienced team provides comprehensive care for your child’s cough or cold.
To diagnose a cough, your child’s provider will examine their symptoms and review their medical history. In most cases, an acute cough is often caused by a cold. If they suspect another underlying condition, your child might need a pulse oximetry, allergy testing, or a chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia and other conditions.
Cold symptoms typically last for a few days, but the symptoms are similar to COVID-19. If your child has COVID, they may need testing to rule out the infectious disease.
Treatment for your child’s cough depends on the severity of their symptoms and if they have underlying conditions. Antibiotics may be prescribed if they have a bacterial infection, or they might need anti-inflammatory medications or bronchodilators if they have coughing due to asthma.
Allergy symptoms can be successfully managed with trigger avoidance (which your child’s pediatrician can teach you and your child how to prevent flare-ups) and antihistamines.
While colds often improve with at-home treatments and over-the-counter medications, the team at American Pediatrics may also recommend:
It’s also best to stay away from work or school if your child is ill to prevent them from spreading illness to other people.
To learn more about your child’s treatment options for a cold or cough, call American Pediatrics or book an appointment online today.