Cough in children

Coughing is an important reflex that helps to clear mucus from your airways. It is a common symptom in children, especially when they are under 5 years of age. A cough can sound awful, but it is rarely a sign of serious illness.

COVID-19 pandemic

If you have any respiratory symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, head cold or loss of smell, with or without fever, stay at home and call your GP or Healthline's dedicated COVID-19 number 0800 358 5453 to check whether you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Key points about cough in children

  1. Many children get a cough when they have a cold and will continue coughing for 3 weeks or more.
  2. The cough will normally get better on its own, given rest and time.
  3. However, it's important to know when you should see your doctor for your child's cough (see red box below).
  4. There are many causes of a cough and treatment depends on the cause.
  5. Most coughs though can be treated at home by giving your child rest and lots of water to drink.


  • is working hard to breathe or is breathing fast
  • has a temperature higher than 38.5 degrees Celsius
  • has difficulty speaking normally or is unable to finish a whole sentence because of their coughing or breathing
  • you can hear wheezing or whistling in their chest.

Call 111 if the cough could be due to choking. Food or an object going down the wrong way causes a cough that starts suddenly when eating or playing. 

You should also see your doctor if your child has a cough that has lasted more than 4 weeks. 


What are the different types of cough?

A cough is often described as being wet or dry.

A wet cough:

A dry cough:

  • sounds chesty and phlegmy
  • is also known as a productive cough.
  • is less likely to produce phlegm (mucus)
  • can sound irritated, harsh, barking, or whooping
  • is also known as a non-productive cough.

What are the causes of cough in children?

Colds or chest infections

Young children usually have between 6 and 12 upper respiratory tract infections each year. These may cluster around the winter months. If they are at daycare, this can be more. A wet, chesty cough may be due to a chest infection. If it lasts more than 2 weeks you need to see a doctor. Read more about colds or chest infections.


Bronchiolitis is a common viral chest infection in children under 12 months of age. Read more about bronchiolitis.

Post-viral cough

Some children can have a persistent dry cough for 3 weeks after a viral infection. As children may have many infections in a year this can seem like one long infection. A persistent wet cough for more than 4 weeks is unusual and you should see your doctor.


An asthma-related cough is usually dry and happens at night, with sport or in the early morning. An asthma cough is usually associated with other symptoms such as wheeze, allergy (eczema or hay fever), or a history of asthma and allergy in the family.

If coughing is the only symptom your child has, it is very unlikely to be due to asthma. Read more about asthma in children.

Smoke exposure

Second-hand cigarette smoke commonly causes children to cough even when they are well. Make sure your child's environment is smokefree. Ask all visitors and whānau to smoke outside and keep your car smokefree too. 

Support family/whānau and friends to quit smoking. Call Quitline on 0800 778 778. See also why to be smokefree for your kids.

Whooping cough

This can start like a cold or flu, but the cough persists and gets worse with coughing spasms which can last weeks. It is often serious in babies which is why vaccination is so important. Read more about whooping cough.


This can also start like a cold or flu and after a day or two can lead to a barking cough and raspy breathing. Read more about croup


If your child has a cough that lasts more than 4 weeks, they should see a doctor. One of the serious conditions to be considered is bronchiectasis. If a wet, persistent cough is left without treatment there is a risk of scarring and permanent damage to their lungs. Read more about bronchiectasis.

Inhaled foreign body

A cough, choking or breathing difficulty that starts suddenly while a child is eating or playing could be due to food or another object (foreign body) being breathed (inhaled) into their lungs. This can be immediately life-threatening so call 111 if your child has difficulty breathing or turns a pale or blue colour.

Looking after a child with a cough

  • Making your child more comfortable is the main focus. There are no medicines to treat the commonest viral causes of cough.
  • Encourage rest and give lots of water to drink.
  • For children older than 12 months, honey can help soothe their cough.
  • Vapour rubs can be applied to their chest and back. However, there is little scientific evidence as to how well they work and they are not recommended for babies under 3 months. Avoid putting the rub near the nostril area.
  • Simple pain relievers such as paracetamol (commonly known as Pamol or Panadol) can be used to reduce pain or fever and make your child more comfortable.
  • Keeping your home smokefree, warm, clean and dry is best for your children’s health.

Antibiotics don’t help coughing caused by a viral infection 

Antibiotics are not helpful for a cough caused by a viral infection. But if your doctor finds that your child's cough is due to a bacterial infection in their throat or chest, they may prescribe antibiotics.

Can cough medicines be used for children?

Cough and cold medicines are designed to help reduce the symptoms of the common cold such as runny nose and cough. They do not cure the infection. 

The ingredients in these medicines can cause serious side effects in young children. To avoid harm:

  • over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age
  • only those labelled as safe for children should be given to children 6 years of age and older.

For more information, ask your pharmacist or  see cough and cold medicines – advice for parents.

Learn more

The following links provide further information about cough in children. Be aware that websites from other countries may have information that differs from New Zealand recommendations.   

Cough Ministry of Health, NZ
Cough KidsHealth, NZ


  1. Cough in children Auckland Regional HealthPathways, NZ, 2020

Reviewed by

Credits: Health Navigator Editorial Team. Reviewed By: Dr Alice Miller, FRNZCGP Last reviewed: 12 Jan 2021