The Progression of Cough with Phlegm in Children

If you had to choose a superpower to help you become a better parent or guardian, what’s your top pick? Super speed? Ability to be in many places at once? Or the power to predict the future, especially when your little one or anyone else in the family gets sick? 

Sadly, some of these superpowers can only exist in movies, books, or TV shows. And for many parents, even if they want to watch out for their kids at all times, it can be difficult to predict when they will get sick and deal with health issues like a cough with bacterial phlegm. 

This particularly pesky symptom can cause stress for both parents and kids, leading to discomfort and disruption of daily routines. With that said, take a closer look at how and why this type of cough happens and which cough with phlegm remedy may be useful for immediate relief.

How and Why Does Cough With Phlegm Develop in Kids?
While a cough with bacterial phlegm can send parents or guardians into a state of worry, remember that this action helps the body remove an infection that may be affecting it from within. 

However, take note that this type of cough does not clear out in one day and tends to follow a certain “timeline” that can last for days or weeks. Check out this “schedule” of sorts that shows how a cough with phlegm progresses in kids:

• Days 1 to 3: Symptoms Reminiscent of a Cold Appear
  Your kid can develop a runny nose, low-grade fever, and/or sore throat. At the same time, they can feel more clingy or tired than usual. You may also hear or notice a dry cough. Within the body, the mucus forms in the airways of the lungs, increasing in number until a kid is ready to cough them out.
   
• Days 4 to 7: Cough With Phlegm Is More Evident and Louder
  A gurgling or rattling sound is now heard when a kid coughs. At the same time, a kid may also:
  • Spit out phlegm that is either clear, white, yellow, or green
  • Cough more after napping or at night
  • Gag or even vomit after intense coughing spells
• Days 8 to 14: Road to Recovery Begins
  A cough with phlegm is now heard less often and is not as intense as it was in the previous days. However, a coughing fit may be heard in the morning because of overnight mucus buildup. At this point, a kid’s energy level slowly returns to normal, and he or she may seem like their usual self again. 

Seek medical attention immediately if a cough with phlegm remains or worsens or if a kid develops symptoms like fever, breathing difficulties, or a lack of energy. Not addressing a cough with bacterial phlegm right away may:

• Trigger continued mucus build-up that can raise the risk of chest infections, especially in younger kids with weak immune systems
• Irritate the airways and cause wheezing or asthma-like symptoms in kids

Moreover, a wet cough that lasts more than three weeks may prompt doctors to check for more serious conditions.

What Can Cause a Cough With Phlegm Anyway?
Some of the common culprits behind cough with bacterial phlegm in kids include:

• Common cold: The viruses responsible for this health issue can trigger an infection in the body. This leads to inflammation in the nose, throat, and airways, resulting in mucus production and phlegm formation. The mucus then drips down to the back of the throat or remains in the chest, where the body attempts to get rid of it by coughing it out. 
• Respiratory diseases: In some cases, the infection moves towards the lungs, where it can trigger health issues like bronchitis or pneumonia. A cough with phlegm is one of the known signs of either health problem.
• Allergens or environmental irritants: The chances of a cough with phlegm developing in kids are low, but never zero. Some allergens or irritants, like dust or pet fur, may trigger coughing fits in kids to the point that phlegm can develop. 

How to Cure a Cough With Bacterial Phlegm With an Assist From Medicines
If you are on the hunt for a home remedy for a cough with phlegm, especially in kids, look no further than The Most Prescribed Ambroxol Brand:* Ambroxol HCl (Expel®) Cough Syrup! 

Available as Syrup or Drops, Ambroxol HCl (Expel®) Cough Syrup can help relieve cough that is secondary to acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract that can trigger excessive lung secretions, like chronic bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis, and bronchial asthma.

This cough syrup for kids is also formulated with TasteRite Technology, providing a yummy orange flavor that makes the medicine taste better and more appealing to little ones, especially those who are picky with their medicine!

Ambroxol HCl (Expel®) Cough Syrup is available online and in leading drugstores nationwide at a suggested retail price (SRP) of Php117.25 for Expel 6mg Drops 15mL and Php134.75 for Expel 15mg Syrup 60mL.

If symptoms persist, consult your kid’s pediatrician.

*Source: PMDI, IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC., reprinted with permission. Prescription data of brands under: AMBROXOL in 0 – 19 Years in Branded and Originator among PEDIATRICIAN covering period: January 2024-December 2024

ASC Ref No. U0156P052225E

References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3637271/ 
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https://www.parents.com/health/cough/wet-cough-vs-dry-cough-in-kids-causes-symptoms-and-home-remedies/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/when-to-be-concerned-about-your-childs-cough-3894893
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