The most common cause of an uncontrollable cough in children is whooping cough or pertussis. Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that causes between 5,000 and 10,000 deaths a year, according to KidsHealth.org. Whooping cough is common among children under 6 months of age because their immune systems are still developing. A child with an uncontrollable cough should see her pediatrician as soon as possible to avoid complications.
Cause
Whooping cough is caused by the highly contagious bacteria, pertussis. The bacterial infection causes the lungs to swell and produces symptoms similar to a cold. The most common way whooping cough is spread is through airborne particles from sneezing or coughing.
Symptoms
The child will develop a low-grade fever, a runny nose, minor cough and sneezing, according to KidsHealth.org. After about one to two weeks, the minor dry cough will turn into a constant, uncontrollable cough. During a coughing spell, the child may turn colors, such as red or purple. After the coughing spell ends, the child may make a sound that sounds like a "whoop."
Medical Treatment
The best treatment for whooping cough in children is to treat it with antibiotics during early stages. After the first two weeks, antibiotics may not be effective at killing the bacteria, according to MedlinePlus. Children and infants with a fully developed case of whooping cough may need to be hospitalized for constant supervision. Cough syrups and expectorants are not considered effective at treating whooping cough and should not be used.
Home Treatment
If the child's pediatrician recommends staying home, the child should remain in bed resting until complete recovery. Run a cool mist humidifier and remove any possible allergens or irritants from the home that could trigger a coughing episode, according to KidsHealth.com. A cool mist humidifier will help alleviate any chest congestion. Common irritants include pollen, pet dander, dust, pollution and cigarette smoke.
Complications
The most common complications from whooping cough involve strain or injury from the violent coughing. MayoClinic.com states that common complications include bruised ribs, broken blood vessels in the eyes and hernias in the abdomen. In younger children, whooping cough can lead to seizures, pneumonia, ear infections, dehydration, brain damage and slowed breathing.
