Repeated Cold and Cough in Children — Myths, Antibiotics, Asthma and Home Remedies

Dr. Sandip Gupta

A podcast episode answering the questions parents worry about most when their child has cold and cough — whether repeated episodes are normal, common food myths, why cough worsens at night, when antibiotics are needed, what asthma and wheezing are, and how to prevent it all. Is repeated cold and cough normal? Yes — small children, especially under five, can get six to eight infections a year. Common reasons: viral infections passed on from parents or relatives who have a cold, and elder siblings bringing infections home from school. If the child is not very ill and starts recovering in three to four days, there is no need to worry. Another reason is allergy or asthma, where children get cold and cough even without fever. Myth 1 — curd causes cold and cough. Across India people believe this. If curd is taken straight from the fridge and given cold, then cold sensitivity can cause some problem. But curd itself does not cause cough or cold. Curd is a good immunity booster food — it contains good bacteria and probiotics which improve immunity, it is easy to digest, and it is a good source of protein, calcium and (if fortified) vitamin D. There is research on this, and some research even shows curd increases children's immunity and reduces the duration of cold and cough. Curd can be given during cold and cough — just let it come to room temperature first. Myth 2 — milk increases mucus. Milk does not form phlegm. If the child is above one year, you can give milk with a little turmeric. Turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory that boosts immunity and has been researched extensively, including in Western medical literature, and found to be helpful. Warm milk can be given to a child with cold and cough. Why cough increases at night: The nose gets blocked at night so the child cannot breathe properly. Nasal secretions and saliva go to the back of the throat while sleeping and cause itching and irritation there, which makes the child cough. In children with asthma or allergy, the breathing tubes get more inflamed at night, so breathing difficulty and cough increase. Dust mites in bedding can also trigger cough. What to do for night cough: Give a little lukewarm water; for children above one year, half a glass of warm water with a spoon of honey. Tap gently on the chest so the phlegm stuck in the throat settles down. Saline nasal drops can be used to clear the blocked nose, and medicated nasal drops if prescribed. Honey — the age rule: Honey is not safe for children under one year because it contains Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a serious illness. Never give honey to a child under one, not even as a home remedy. After 12 months are complete, honey can be used as a cough remedy, especially for cough from throat irritation — there is a lot of research showing honey is sometimes better than cough syrup. Antibiotics — when and when not: Antibiotics kill bacteria and do not work on viral infections. More than 90% of cold and cough is caused by viral infection, so using an antibiotic then gives no benefit and can cause harm — antibiotic resistance, meaning the antibiotic will not work when it is actually needed later. People often give azithromycin on the first or second day thinking the child will recover faster; this is a misbelief. Doctors prescribe antibiotics based on judgement for a specific condition where they think bacteria have grown. There is no single "cough medicine": Cough is a symptom that can come from throat infection, chest infection, or asthma and allergy — the medicine depends on the cause. For the same reason, the doctor does not prefer video consultation for cough, because he cannot listen to the chest with a stethoscope or check the throat. Coughing or breathlessness after running and playing: Two situations. Most commonly, the child is recovering from a normal cough and extra activity triggers some coughing. The other is exercise-induced asthma. Asthma triggers differ for each individual — cold, dust, pollen, cockroaches, animal dander — and exercise is one of them. What asthma and wheezing are: Asthma is a kind of allergy — everyone is exposed to dust, viruses and plants, but some people's bodies react excessively, causing inflammation. In asthma, the windpipe swells and narrows, so air cannot pass properly and breathing becomes difficult. The two main symptoms are a lot of cough and wheezing. Wheezing is like whistling — when air passes through a narrowed tube it makes a whistling sound from inside the chest. When mild it is heard with a stethoscope; when severe you can hear it sitting next to the child without one. Do repeated infections mean weak immunity? Not necessarily. If the child recovers on their own in five to seven days, has only mild fever, is growing well with age-appropriate weight and height, and does not need hospitalisation, this is not a sign of weak immunity. Repeated cold and cough without fever, triggered by cold, dust or pollen season, points towards asthma — which is altered immunity, not weak immunity. Weak immunity is a separate thing, sometimes genetic and sometimes from malnutrition, but these are not that common nowadays. Diet and asthma: In most situations there is no relationship with food. If there is a genuine food allergy — nuts such as almond, groundnut or cashew, or egg — those must be avoided, and they can trigger asthma-like symptoms. But food avoidance generally does not need to be extensive. What the doctor does advise during cold and cough: no ice cream, no water straight from the fridge, and no cold fruit straight from the fridge — let it come to room temperature. Otherwise a normal healthy diet can be followed. Medicine given but the child isn't improving: Over-the-counter medicine taken without seeing a doctor is often the wrong medicine — cough medicines differ by age, and whoever hands it over at the counter is not a doctor. If the doctor prescribed it, you can follow up in two to three days. If there is 50–60% improvement, that means it is working but takes time — phlegm inside can take one to two weeks to clear, and cough does not go to zero in a day. But if there is no improvement at all, or the cough continues for two to three weeks, definitely see the doctor again; tests or a change of medicine may be needed. Prevention: Complete all vaccinations on time. The flu vaccine helps a lot if the child gets cold and cough repeatedly, since flu spreads in the rainy and cold seasons. If adults at home have a cold, wear a mask, wash hands before touching the child, and don't cough towards the child's face — cover your mouth or cough into a handkerchief so droplets don't spread. Mothers with a cold can breastfeed — it does not spread through breast milk — but should wear a mask and wash hands before picking up the child, since the virus spreads through respiratory droplets. Give good diet and nutrition; fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that help the body fight germs. Home remedies by age: For children under one year, not many home remedies are used. For children above three months, a baby rub with eucalyptus oil can be applied; hold the child upright and tap gently on the back so the phlegm settles; steam can be given from a distance, safely. For children above one year: honey, milk with turmeric, and a kadha made of ginger, tulsi and honey. Relevant for: parents whose child gets cold and cough repeatedly every month; parents worried it means lung infection, pneumonia, weak immunity or asthma; parents told not to give curd or milk during a cold; parents whose child coughs all night and can't sleep; parents asking at what age honey is safe; parents asking whether to give antibiotics for cold and cough; parents asking what wheezing is and how to tell asthma from a normal cough; parents whose child coughs or gets breathless after running and playing; parents asking whether food needs to be avoided in asthma; parents whose child isn't improving on medicine; mothers with a cold asking whether they can breastfeed; and parents looking for age-appropriate home remedies and prevention steps. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — do not self-medicate or give antibiotics without a prescription; please consult your pediatrician if your child has continuous cough, fever, difficulty or fast breathing, is not eating or sleeping, or if the cough persists beyond two weeks.