When a cough sticks around week after week, it’s frustrating for kids and parents. The good news: most lingering coughs come from common, fixable causes. Below is a simple guide to what’s typical, what to watch for, how to help at home, and when to check in with your provider.
How Long is “Normal” for a Cough?
A cold-related (acute) cough usually fades within two to three weeks. Many kids then have a “post-viral” phase where airways stay sensitive for another few weeks. If a cough lasts beyond eight weeks, it’s time for a closer look.
Why Coughs Linger
After viruses, airway lining can stay irritated and reactive. Post-nasal drip from allergies or sinus swelling can also keep a cough going, especially at night. Some children cough with exercise or at bedtime due to asthma. A daily, wet cough that lasts more than four weeks can be a sign of protracted bacterial bronchitis, which is treatable. Less often, pertussis, “walking pneumonia,” reflux, habit cough, or environmental irritants (smoke, fragrances, very dry air) play a role.
When to Call Right Away
Seek prompt care if your child is breathing fast or working hard to breathe; has blue or pale lips/face; a high fever that lasts more than 72 hours or returns after improving; is very low-energy or not drinking; has a daily wet cough beyond four weeks; or reports chest pain with breathing.
Northwest Family Clinics has two urgent care clinics open 7 days a week.
What Actually Helps at Home
Keep it simple and consistent for a few days before judging progress.
- Hydrate and humidify. Offer frequent fluids. Run a cool-mist humidifier to about 40–50 percent and clean it regularly.
- Clear the nose. Use saline spray or rinses for older kids; saline plus gentle suction before feeds and sleep for infants.
- Soothe the cough. For children 1 year and older, a half to one teaspoon of honey at bedtime can reduce cough.
- Loosen things up. A steamy bathroom or warm shower can help; encourage upright positioning when awake.
- Reduce irritants. Avoid smoke and heavy fragrances; consider a HEPA purifier in the bedroom.
- Manage discomfort. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen by weight as directed. Avoid aspirin in children.
When Testing or Treatment Makes Sense
If cough is frequent at night, with exercise, or comes with wheeze, an asthma evaluation helps. Seasonal patterns and itchy eyes or sneezing point toward allergies. A daily wet cough beyond four weeks deserves an exam for protracted bacterial bronchitis. Your clinician may also consider pertussis or atypical infections during local outbreaks. Based on the visit, a short trial of inhalers, nasal steroids, or a targeted antibiotic may be appropriate.
School and Sports
Most kids can return when they’re fever-free for 24 hours without medicine and symptoms are clearly improving. A mild, lingering cough after a virus is common and not necessarily contagious. Consider a well-fitting mask in crowded spaces or around high-risk relatives during peak illness season.
Minnesota-Specific Tips
Dry winter air can prolong coughs. Aim for indoor humidity near 40–50 percent and change furnace filters on schedule. In poor air quality or wildfire smoke, close windows, run a HEPA purifier, and limit intense outdoor activity for kids with asthma.
When to see Northwest Family Clinics
Call if the cough lasts more than three to four weeks, is daily and wet beyond four weeks, disrupts sleep or exercise, or if you’re worried. We offer urgent care walk-in appointments at our Rogers and Crystal clinics 7 days a week, and often have same- or next-day visits in Crystal, Plymouth, and Rogers to sort out causes and create a clear plan.
FAQs
How long is too long?
Two to four weeks is common after viruses. Beyond eight weeks is “chronic” and deserves an evaluation.
Why is it worse at night?
Post-nasal drip, asthma, and dry air all intensify nighttime cough. Saline before bed, a humidifier, and an asthma check if it persists can help.
Could it be asthma without wheeze?
Yes. Some kids have cough-variant asthma; nighttime or exercise cough may be the only clue.
Do antibiotics help?
Usually no—most coughs are viral or post-viral. Antibiotics are reserved for specific diagnoses after an exam.
Do cough/cold medicines work?
They’re not recommended for young children and often don’t help much. Honey (age 1+) and targeted treatments are safer and more effective.