Causes of a Wet Cough and How to Treat It
A wet cough, also known as a productive cough, is any cough that produces mucus. It is often a sign of a bacterial or viral infection. Not all treatments are suitable for children, so it is best to contact a doctor.
If you have a wet cough, it may feel like you have something stuck in your chest or the back of your throat. Sometimes a wet cough will bring mucus into your mouth.
Treatment for a wet cough is not always necessary. If doctors do recommend treatments, they can include a combination of medications and lifestyle changes, though not all are suitable for children.
Read on to learn more about the causes of a wet cough. This article also looks at treatment options, when to contact a doctor, and more.
Causes of a wet cough
Wet coughs most often result from infections by microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. This includes the microorganisms that cause a cold or the flu.
Your entire respiratory system is lined with mucous membranes. Mucus performs many beneficial functions in your body, like keeping your airways moist and protecting your lungs from irritants.
When you have an infection like the flu, your body produces more mucus than usual. This helps trap and expel the organisms causing infection. Coughing helps you get rid of all the excess mucus that gets stuck in your lungs and chest.
There are other reasons why your body may produce more mucus than usual, causing you to develop a wet cough. These include:
Bronchitis: Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the tubes that carry air into your lungs. Acute bronchitis is typically brought on by a variety of viruses. Chronic bronchitis is an ongoing condition, often caused by smoking.
Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a lung infection that's caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It's a condition that ranges in severity from mild to life threatening.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a group of conditions that damage both your lungs and bronchial tubes. Smoking is the number one cause of COPD.
Cystic fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition of the respiratory system. It usually develops in early childhood. It causes the production of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and other organs.
Asthma: Although people with asthma are more likely to have a dry cough, a small subset of people produce ongoing excess mucus and experience a chronic wet cough.
Pulmonary edema: Pulmonary edema is fluid buildup in the lungs. It's usually caused by heart failure and is a very common cause of wet cough. If you have pulmonary edema, you may cough up pink, frothy phlegm.
Wet cough in a child
In children, coughs are caused by a viral infection most of the time. Asthma may also result in a cough.
All other causes of wet cough in children, such as the following, can include:
Whooping cough: Whooping cough presents in violent attacks of uncontrollable coughing. Children make a 'whoop' sound as they gasp for air.
Inhalation: Cough in children is sometimes caused by inhaling a foreign body, cigarette smoke, or other environmental irritants.
Pneumonia: Pneumonia can be dangerous in newborns and young children.
Diagnosing a wet cough
To diagnose your cough, your doctor will first need to know how long it's been going on and how severe the symptoms are.
Your doctor may be able to diagnose the cause of a wet cough based on a physical examination and the symptoms you are experiencing.
If your cough is long lasting or severe, or you have other symptoms, a doctor may want to order additional tests.
Additional testing may include:
chest X-rays
lung function tests
blood tests
sputum analysis
pulse oximetry test
How to treat a wet cough
Treatments for a wet cough depend on what's causing it.
For the majority of wet coughs caused by a virus, such as a cold or the flu, medical treatment is not usually necessary. Bacterial causes require antibiotics.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help manage symptoms of a wet cough. However,
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that children younger than 2 years should not be given OTC cough and cold medications.
Speak with a pharmacist or doctor for recommendations on other remedies that may help, based on the cause of the cough and the age of the individual.
When to contact a doctor
Consult a doctor if your cough has been going on for more than 2 weeks.
Seek immediate medical treatment if you're having trouble breathing or coughing up blood, or notice a bluish skin tone.
Mucus with a foul smell can also be a sign of a more serious infection.
Call the doctor immediately if a child:
is younger than 3 months and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
is younger than 2 years and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher for more than 1 day
is older than 2 years and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher for more than 3 days
has a fever over 104°F (40°C)
has wheezing without a history of asthma
is crying and can't be comforted
is difficult to wake
has a seizure
has a fever and rash
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