{"id":12065,"date":"2021-01-25T17:50:25","date_gmt":"2021-01-25T23:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=12065"},"modified":"2021-03-23T09:27:53","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T14:27:53","slug":"a-cough-may-be-more-than-just-a-cough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/a-cough-may-be-more-than-just-a-cough\/","title":{"rendered":"When a cough may be more than just a cough"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As a person with any amount of life experience under your belt, you likely don\u2019t need the term \u201ccough\u201d defined for you. You\u2019ve probably experienced a recurring cough at least once in your life, if not countless times. Sometimes the cough goes away after a short time all by itself. Sometimes the cough is a symptom of an illness.<\/p>\n

So, when should you worry about your child\u2019s cough? What\u2019s the difference between a \u201cwet cough\u201d and a \u201cdry cough?\u201d<\/p>\n

Keith Hanson, MD<\/a>, is a pediatric hospitalist at OSF HealthCare Children\u2019s Hospital of Illinois<\/a> in Peoria. His insights can help you identify the type of cough your child is experiencing, and what other symptoms to look for to help you know whether you should call your child\u2019s pediatrician.<\/p>\n

\u201cA cough by itself is not very worrisome, really,\u201d Dr. Hanson said. \u201cBut if it is accompanied by other symptoms of illness, it can help you identify when it\u2019s time to call your child\u2019s pediatrician.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wet vs. dry<\/h2>\n
\"Get<\/a>

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You\u2019ve likely seen or heard the terms \u201cwet cough\u201d and \u201cdry cough\u201d used to help diagnose an illness. These terms describe two types of coughs with different causes.<\/p>\n