America News Agency

Dr. Selin Kuzucu from the Department of Pediatric Health and Diseases at Güven Hospital emphasized that cough in children often begins with a simple infection and should usually resolve within a few weeks. However, she stated: “If a cough lasts longer than 2–3 weeks, becomes progressively more severe, or occurs in fits, it may signal a more serious underlying condition. Therefore, a ‘persistent cough’ must be taken seriously.”

"In pneumonia, cough may be accompanied by fever and breathing difficulty”

Highlighting the importance of differential diagnosis in prolonged cough, Dr. Kuzucu listed the most common causes encountered in clinical practice as follows: “The most frequent causes of a persistent cough include pneumonia, asthma, and bronchiolitis. Each of these conditions presents with different clinical features, and accurate diagnosis requires careful evaluation. Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue. The cough is usually accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and respiratory distress. A cough that becomes productive, persists day and night, and is associated with a deterioration in the child’s general condition is a warning sign for pneumonia. In cases where treatment is delayed, the cough may last for weeks.”

“Asthma may not present only with wheezing”

Dr. Kuzucu also noted that asthma can often be overlooked in children and that cough may be the sole symptom: “Asthma is one of the most common causes of chronic and recurrent cough in children. A dry cough that worsens at night and is triggered by exercise, cold air, or allergens should raise suspicion for asthma. Bronchiolitis is seen more commonly in children under two years of age and is usually caused by viral infections. While wheezing and respiratory distress are prominent in the acute phase, in some children the cough may persist after the infection. Infants who have had severe bronchiolitis should be closely monitored for prolonged cough and wheezing in the following period.”

“There is a signal of increasing pneumonia cases”

Referring to recent data, Dr. Kuzucu stated: “There are field reports and data from medical centers indicating an increase in pneumonia cases in Türkiye recently. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of pneumonia. With treatment, the cough may not stop immediately; however, disease progression and complications are prevented. The most effective means of prevention is vaccination in accordance with the immunization schedule. If a child has a cough lasting longer than 2–3 weeks, severe paroxysmal attacks, shortness of breath, cyanosis, vomiting, feeding difficulties, or a marked deterioration in general condition, a physician should be consulted without delay.”