A nighttime cough without a fever in children is a common health concern that worries parents. This condition is often caused by throat irritation from foreign objects or excessive phlegm.

Coughing is a frequent ailment in children, as their immune systems are still developing and vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. So, what should you do when your child has a persistent nighttime cough without a fever? Is this condition truly dangerous? Read on to find answers in this article from our 0-3 year old baby care section!

What illnesses can lead to a nighttime cough without a fever in children?

A nighttime cough without a fever can be caused by various ear, nose, and throat conditions such as bronchiolitis, sinusitis, asthma, or even acid reflux.

Coughs due to allergies

Exposure to environments with dust, fabric particles, animal dander, or pollen can easily irritate a child’s throat and trigger allergic reactions. The body then tries to expel these irritants from the airways by coughing.

Therefore, if your child has a dry cough without phlegm and doesn’t exhibit other symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, or difficulty breathing, it’s highly likely caused by external factors triggering an allergic reaction.

Coughs due to the common cold

A common cold caused by sudden weather changes or viral infections can also lead to cold symptoms like a cough without a fever, a cough with phlegm, or wheezing. In most cases of a new cold, children won’t have a fever, but a slight fever may develop if the illness worsens.

Therefore, parents should differentiate between a cold and the flu to provide the best possible treatment for their child.

Coughs due to bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis in children is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) attacking the airways, causing a lower respiratory tract infection, commonly occurring in late winter and early spring. Symptoms include a cough with phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing.

Coughs due to sinusitis

Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract, occurring in the nasal sinuses. Children with sinusitis experience nasal congestion, runny nose, and frequent coughing due to mucus draining from the sinuses into the throat and accumulating there.

Additionally, sinusitis can present with other symptoms such as a sore throat, pain in the forehead and cheeks, and a thick yellow-green nasal discharge with a foul odor.

Coughs due to croup

A cough with phlegm, a dry, barking cough at night are symptoms of croup in children. Accompanying symptoms include difficulty breathing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. The illness is caused by swelling of the throat and trachea, producing excess mucus that hinders breathing.

Coughs due to asthma

Asthma is directly influenced by weather fluctuations. When the weather changes, children often experience symptoms such as persistent coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or wheezing. These coughing fits intensify at night, disrupting sleep and significantly impacting health.

Coughs due to whooping cough

Whooping cough is characterized by a dry, hacking cough followed by a “whoop” sound during inhalation. It’s a common childhood illness. Due to a child’s weakened immune system, bacteria can easily invade the lungs and cause inflammation.

Adults can also contract whooping cough, but the symptoms are often less pronounced or absent.

Coughs due to acid reflux

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating the trachea. This often happens when children eat too much before bedtime. It’s another potential cause of a nighttime cough without a fever.

Is a nighttime cough without a fever dangerous?

The severity of a nighttime cough without a fever depends on the underlying cause and the extent of the condition. If the cough is due to allergies, parents needn’t worry; simply cleaning the child’s environment will usually resolve the cough.

However, a nighttime cough without a fever caused by illnesses like whooping cough or asthma requires prompt treatment. In such cases, parents should take their child to a doctor for examination and treatment.

Furthermore, parents shouldn’t be overly anxious and avoid self-medicating their child without a doctor’s guidance. This can lead to unwanted side effects, which are dangerous for young children’s health.

What to do when a child has a nighttime cough without a fever? Effective cough relief methods

If your child has a frequent nighttime cough without a fever, don’t panic. Monitor the situation and try the following methods to alleviate the cough:

Use cough medicine for children, such as syrup

To reduce cough symptoms, parents can use cough medicine such as lemon balm syrup or chive syrup. These products can help relieve coughs and clear phlegm quickly, and their sweet taste makes them easy for children to take.

Moreover, the natural herbal ingredients in these cough syrups are safe for children, so parents can use them with confidence.

Change lifestyle habits

Lifestyle habits can significantly influence nighttime coughing in children. Therefore, besides using cough medicine, parents should adjust lifestyle habits to help reduce coughing. Keep the following in mind:

• Avoid feeding close to bedtime: It’s best to feed your child at least one hour before sleep to prevent acid reflux, which can trigger coughing.
• Clean your child’s nose regularly: Parents should use saline solution to clean their child’s nose. This helps clear the airways and prevents mucus from dripping down the throat, causing nighttime coughing.
• Keep the body warm: When a child has a cough, parents should keep them warm, especially around the neck and feet. You can massage infants with warm essential oils like cajuput oil, coconut oil, and olive oil.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Warm water helps loosen and thin mucus effectively. Therefore, parents should encourage their child to drink plenty of fluids when they have a cough. For breastfeeding infants, increase feeding frequency.

Apply some folk remedies

Here are some folk remedies for treating coughs in children that parents can try:

• Steamed kumquats with rock sugar: Halve 2-3 kumquats, mix with an appropriate amount of rock sugar, and steam for about 20 minutes. Once cooled, mash the kumquats, strain the juice, and give the child 1-2 teaspoons, three times a day.
• Steamed chives with rock sugar: Chop chives and mix with an appropriate amount of rock sugar, then steam for 15-20 minutes. Once cooled, strain the juice and give the child 2-3 teaspoons, 2-3 times a day.
• Fish mint and rice water: Wash and drain fish mint leaves, then grind them. Mix with rice water. Simmer the mixture over low heat for about 20 minutes until the leaves are tender. Once cooled, strain the liquid and give the child 2-3 times a day.
• Xương sông leaves (Blumea balsamifera): Wash and drain xương sông leaves, chop finely, and mix with honey. Steam for 15-20 minutes. Finally, strain the liquid and give the child 1-2 teaspoons, 3-4 times a day.

When should parents take their child to the hospital?

If a child has a persistent nighttime cough accompanied by the following symptoms, parents should immediately take them to the hospital for examination and treatment:

• Persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
• Fatigue, blue lips and fingernails.
• Coughing up blood.
• Wheezing in infants accompanied by chest pain.
• Phlegm stuck in the throat.
• Hoarseness, loss of voice, or difficulty speaking.

Illnesses that lead to frequent nighttime coughs in children.

A nighttime cough without a fever in children can be a sign of various respiratory illnesses. Therefore, parents should regularly monitor their child’s health to take timely action and ensure healthy development.