Children's Coughs

[kurnell]

My kids are aged 4 and 7 and have had persistent coughs on and off since they were born. The older one not so much, but my 4 year old often has a cough that will last for 4-6 weeks. We take them to the doctor, but apart from the odd occasion where they have an infection and anti-biotics can cure them quickly, the doctors don't seem to have any great advice on how to help them. I understand that the kids often have allergies, whether due to change of seasons or dust mites, or whatever, but there seems to be no logic as to when and why coughs will hit. Minor coughing I don't mind but when they are coughing, often quite violently every 5-10 minutes all night, nobody gets any sleep. As an example my 4 year old coughed all weekend, including most of the night and I was planning to put her on a course of Singulair tonight, but suddenly the cough completely dried up, for no apparent reason.

I find this completely baffling, so if anyone has any ideas I would be very interested. We keep the place clean, air the rooms, wash the bedding, clean the A/Cs regularly and have no carpets nor soft toys in the bed.

[krisb]

Have the kids always lived in the same house?

My sister is a naturopath, for some reason shes quite cluey on ailments and cures. I'll ask her tomorrow for ya.

[kurnell]

Have the kids always lived in the same house?

My sister is a naturopath, for some reason shes quite cluey on ailments and cures. I'll ask her tomorrow for ya.

The young one yes. The house is brand new and apart from rats that get into the ceiling before I poison them, there is no mold or anything obvious that I can think of that could normally cause allergies.

[Mario2008]

Why not try the health forum? If you want I can move your topic there, or leave it here if you think this forum is more appropriete.

[Jasun]

Is it the same cough, or a series of coughs that come on just as the previous one goes away? Schools, and particularly kindy and daycare are warzones for passing around colds.

[kurnell]

Why not try the health forum? If you want I can move your topic there, or leave it here if you think this forum is more appropriete.

I didn't see the health forum

[kurnell]

Is it the same cough, or a series of coughs that come on just as the previous one goes away? Schools, and particularly kindy and daycare are warzones for passing around colds.

Basically they get a post nasal drip which translates into a cough when the are asleep. Same cough each time generally

[Mario2008]

Why not try the health forum? If you want I can move your topic there, or leave it here if you think this forum is more appropriete.

I didn't see the health forum

Here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/23-health-body-and-medicine/

As said, if you want I can move the topic to there.

[Satcommlee]

I was surprised that an allergy test was so cheap, 1450 baht in Bangkok Hospital Korat.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643798-allergy-test-for-3-year-old-cost/

Why not make an appointment for them to see an allergist somewhere?

[kurnell]

Why not try the health forum? If you want I can move your topic there, or leave it here if you think this forum is more appropriete.

I didn't see the health forum

Here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/23-health-body-and-medicine/

As said, if you want I can move the topic to there.

Sure, cheers

[Mario2008]

Moved to health forum.

[Forethat]

A couple of questions:

1. Have you relocated between continents during the past 4 years?

2. How long are the durations of the coughing (I assume the coughing goes away every now and then) More than 3-4 weeks ?

3. Can you verify that the children have been vaccinated for TBC (if they are born in Thailand they'll get the shot within 48 hours)

4. Does anyone in the family smoke?

5. Have the children ever coughed so violently that they vomited? If they have, could you detect any mucus in the vomit?

6. This question might be difficult to answer, but...does the cough "sound" deep or shallow? Do they "swallow" after coughing?

7. Have any of the children lost weight?

8. Do you have any history of astma in the family?

9. Have the children ever had fever during periods of coughing? If they have, did the fever go away after 2-3 days followed by another period of fever a month later?

Edited June 12, 2013 by Forethat

[jrtmedic]

Some good advise here

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/coughs-colds-ear-infections.aspx#close

[krisb]

Have you had any luck or developments Kurnell?

[Sheryl]

It does indeed sound like allergy. Have the children evaluated by a specialist.

[kurnell]

It does indeed sound like allergy. Have the children evaluated by a specialist.

We have a good pediatrician. He seems to think it's just part of growing up. We haven't seen a specialist. I'd love to know the name of one.

[kurnell]

A couple of questions:

1. Have you relocated between continents during the past 4 years?

2. How long are the durations of the coughing (I assume the coughing goes away every now and then) More than 3-4 weeks ?

3. Can you verify that the children have been vaccinated for TBC (if they are born in Thailand they'll get the shot within 48 hours)

4. Does anyone in the family smoke?

5. Have the children ever coughed so violently that they vomited? If they have, could you detect any mucus in the vomit?

6. This question might be difficult to answer, but...does the cough "sound" deep or shallow? Do they "swallow" after coughing?

7. Have any of the children lost weight?

8. Do you have any history of astma in the family?

9. Have the children ever had fever during periods of coughing? If they have, did the fever go away after 2-3 days followed by another period of fever a month later?

1. No. Born in Bangkok and never left.
2. On and off for a couple of years. Can disappear for 3 months then return for a month, then go again and return a month later for a few days. Very frustrating.
3. They have had all their shots then some.
4. No
5. Yes. Always due to thick mucus.
6. Yes, they do swallow, and often spit out white mucus. Though cough sounds wet.
7. No. Both very robust otherwise.
8. I had asthma in Australia and her cousin in Australia has asthma. The doctor thinks it is not asthma. Neither do I.
9. Yes, the cough sometimes turns into an infection with fever. She had pneumonia last year and was hospitalized for 3 days

[kurnell]

One possibility I have to discuss with her doctor is milk of magnesia. She takes it daily (doctor's orders) to control her constipation. I read online that this can cause a build up of mucus.

[Sheryl]

It does indeed sound like allergy. Have the children evaluated by a specialist.

We have a good pediatrician. He seems to think it's just part of growing up. We haven't seen a specialist. I'd love to know the name of one.

Where do you live?

[kurnell]

It does indeed sound like allergy. Have the children evaluated by a specialist.

We have a good pediatrician. He seems to think it's just part of growing up. We haven't seen a specialist. I'd love to know the name of one.

Where do you live?

Bangkapi

[Forethat]

I disagree with Sheryl. I dont think this sounds like allergy. To me, it sounds like viral infections. Having said that, what doesn't add up is the total duration of the symptoms (which actually indicates that this could be an allergy).

My guess (note this is a guess) is that the pneumonia was a secondary infection as a result of a weakened immune system caused by one or several viral infections. In younger individuals its not uncommon to see multiple viral infections at the same time.

Everything indicates multiple viral infections typically seen in young individuals building up their immune system, what I cant figure out is the duration of "several years" (the only theory regarding what is causing this is the relocation).

Both my children went through more or less exactly what you describe - they coughed and coughed - but it took 8-10 months and then it was done and over with.

If your children have coughed this long you desperately need to seek specialist care.

Edited June 19, 2013 by Forethat

[Sheryl]

It does indeed sound like allergy. Have the children evaluated by a specialist.

We have a good pediatrician. He seems to think it's just part of growing up. We haven't seen a specialist. I'd love to know the name of one.

Where do you live?

Bangkapi

Samitivej Srinakarin Chldrens Hospital - one of the following:

http://www.samitivejhospitals.com/DoctorProfile/PEDIATRICS_11950422/en

http://www.samitivejhospitals.com/DoctorProfile/PEDIATRICS_11930387/en

http://www.samitivejhospitals.com/DoctorProfile/PEDIATRICS_11950192/en

[FBN]

The kids probably have RAD (Reactive Airways Disease); there is some good info here: http://www.drugs.com/cg/reactive-airways-disease.html

This condition is becoming more common in countries with significant air pollution and is similar to asthma but there usually is no audible wheezing. Brought on by multitude of factors and management is difficult but antibiotics should be used as a last resort only when there are clear signs of infection such as fever or a productive cough.

Useful to get a little device called a "peak flow meter" which should be readily and cheaply available in pharmacies. Kid blows as hard as he/she can into the device and it measures the maximum airflow which is a measure of how "open" the airways are. Even without audible wheezing, this is a very sensitive test to detect any airway narrowing due to swelling.

Sometimes these chronic coughing is relieved by using a mild bronchodilator such as Ventolin inhaler.

[kurnell]

The kids probably have RAD (Reactive Airways Disease); there is some good info here: http://www.drugs.com/cg/reactive-airways-disease.html

This condition is becoming more common in countries with significant air pollution and is similar to asthma but there usually is no audible wheezing. Brought on by multitude of factors and management is difficult but antibiotics should be used as a last resort only when there are clear signs of infection such as fever or a productive cough.

Useful to get a little device called a "peak flow meter" which should be readily and cheaply available in pharmacies. Kid blows as hard as he/she can into the device and it measures the maximum airflow which is a measure of how "open" the airways are. Even without audible wheezing, this is a very sensitive test to detect any airway narrowing due to swelling.

Sometimes these chronic coughing is relieved by using a mild bronchodilator such as Ventolin inhaler.

Will look into this. My girls go to Samitivej children's hospital

[joeaverage]

The kids probably have RAD (Reactive Airways Disease); there is some good info here: http://www.drugs.com/cg/reactive-airways-disease.html

This condition is becoming more common in countries with significant air pollution and is similar to asthma but there usually is no audible wheezing. Brought on by multitude of factors and management is difficult but antibiotics should be used as a last resort only when there are clear signs of infection such as fever or a productive cough.

Useful to get a little device called a "peak flow meter" which should be readily and cheaply available in pharmacies. Kid blows as hard as he/she can into the device and it measures the maximum airflow which is a measure of how "open" the airways are. Even without audible wheezing, this is a very sensitive test to detect any airway narrowing due to swelling.

Sometimes these chronic coughing is relieved by using a mild bronchodilator such as Ventolin inhaler.

i am ashmatic, and my daughter was diagnosed with RAD. i thought it alot of old twaddle, but was told by her ped that it could develop into full blown asthma so we treated with singulair (4mg i think) it and it passed. the singulair was like 3k per month for 1 pill every evening, so not cheap.

fast forward 2 years, child enters school and suddenly has a constant cold.

children are filthy little things and a magnet for viruses which they pass between them like hippies on a lit joint.

eventually her immune system caught up and illness is far more intermittent now

Edited June 20, 2013 by joeaverage

[kurnell]

The kids probably have RAD (Reactive Airways Disease); there is some good info here: http://www.drugs.com/cg/reactive-airways-disease.html

This condition is becoming more common in countries with significant air pollution and is similar to asthma but there usually is no audible wheezing. Brought on by multitude of factors and management is difficult but antibiotics should be used as a last resort only when there are clear signs of infection such as fever or a productive cough.

Useful to get a little device called a "peak flow meter" which should be readily and cheaply available in pharmacies. Kid blows as hard as he/she can into the device and it measures the maximum airflow which is a measure of how "open" the airways are. Even without audible wheezing, this is a very sensitive test to detect any airway narrowing due to swelling.

Sometimes these chronic coughing is relieved by using a mild bronchodilator such as Ventolin inhaler.

i am ashmatic, and my daughter was diagnosed with RAD. i thought it alot of old twaddle, but was told by her ped that it could develop into full blown asthma so we treated with singulair (4mg i think) it and it passed. the singulair was like 3k per month for 1 pill every evening, so not cheap.

fast forward 2 years, child enters school and suddenly has a constant cold.

children are filthy little things and a magnet for viruses which they pass between them like hippies on a lit joint.

eventually her immune system caught up and illness is far more intermittent now

Yes, I am looking at the Singulair option. She took this when she had pneumonia and it seemed effective. 3k a month seems high. My chemist quoted me 900 baht per month.