What Causes Constant Coughing?

Posted on Sun, 20 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 Apr 2014 Answered on

Sat, 10 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My baby is 4 months old. He has been coughing now and then for the past 3 days. Otherwise, he is active. Does it require a doctor visit?

Answered by Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Yes. More so because of the age of your baby. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to health care magic. I can understand your concern. Yes please consult your doctor. This I advise because of the age of your baby. Some times it could be because of a viral infection which may subside on its own. But a doctors visit helps. I am also adding some danger signs. Monitor for the following in your baby with cough. 1. Rapid breathing.(The rate of breathing should not be more than 50 per minute in this age group) 2. Chest indrawing while breathing. 3. Abnormal noise while breathing. 4. Nasal flaring 5. Bluish discoloration of fingers (cyanosis) 6. Irritability or lethargy If your baby has any of these you should consult your doctor immediately. It is a emergency if your baby develops any of these. Also consult your doctor at the earliest if your baby develops fever or is feeding poorly or has repeated vomiting or seizures. These are the danger signs we ask parents to monitor. Please provide me with details about your baby's condition so that I am better able to help. Continue to ask further queries as required. Hope this helps. Take care. Dr Y V Siva Sankara Murty M.D.(Pediatrics) Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty (40 minutes later)

He doesn't have any of the symptoms that you mentioned. He gets a yellow sticky substance in the corner of his eyes after he wakes up from sleep. It comes in one eye only. Elders told that it is because of the summer heat.

Answered by Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty (15 hours later)

Brief Answer: It happens in viral infections Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for your query. Viral infections of the respiratory tract like common cold may be associated with some sticky eyes. Summer heat does not cause the same. Other cause could be conjunctivitis. But this is associated with redness of the eye. Hope this helps. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad