4 year old with deep cough?

Question

My mom runs a very small daycare ( only two children and they are sisters ). They are constantly sick, the oldest who is 4 has been sick for about three weeks. Her mother took her to the doctor where he gave her medicine for an upper resp. infection. She is still coughing, and it's a deep cough and it's pretty much non stop. I've asked her if she still feels sick and she says no, but her cough is terrible. Her parents don't seem concerned at all, but I am. This is because my 1 year old and I are staying with my mom while my husband is deployed and I don't want her to get sick, they are sharing toys, ect... He is coming home in 10 days and I want my child to be well for his return. I'm getting very irritated and frustrated over this, does anyone know why she would be coughing practically a month after she was diagnosed and treated? Like I said there is no fever or anything just a really deep, almost painful sounding cough. Thanks for any information. BTW HER mother smokes in the house..

Answer 1

She could have chronic bronchitis. Is she around any smokers?

Answer 2

I had a friend that had a child similar to this...it has taken about 7 months and a very "pushy & concerned" mother to get it taken care of.  The doctor kept giving diagnosis after diagnosis & would treat what they thought would help but she STILL had the symptoms and a nasty hack (for lack of a better term).  It started as some type of respiratory infection adn they did rounds of antibiotic.  After much deliberation she was allergy tested and found to be allergic to several different things so they are in the process of finding the right mix of medications which is a nose spray with an allergy medication right now.  I'm guessing if it is allergies that the smoking is really causing it to be even worse.  Good thing is allergies are not contagious just annoying!!!  It will take the mother being very involved and WANTING to help in order to figure it out!!!  :)))  BEST WISHES! TT

Answer 3

sounds like it could be due to her mother smoking in the house.. Has your mom tried talking to her parents about it? sounds like the doctor might need to point out that they probably shouldn't be smoking in the house if it is causing her to cough like that!

Answer 4

Your last line says it all.  Often children that are in a house with smokers have chronic bronchitis.  They sound like they might cough up their socks.  I really don't know if anything can be done, but as far as I am concerned, this is child endangerment.  unfortunately, poisoning your children in this way is not illegal.

Answer 5

She could have Chronic Bronchitis, that can occur when Children are around people who constantly smoke.

Answer 6

Actually, I've had this problem as well just this last winter.  I was treated for the upper respiratory infection, but the cough kept going and actually was worse after I felt better!  Don't know why that is.  So long as the child feels well and is enjoying play, I think that is the situation.

[edited to add]  I should add that I am not around anybody who smokes. I myself quit smoking in 1991.