What to do if children have dry cough? ——Hot topics and structured guides on the Internet in the past 10 days
Recently, children's respiratory health issues have become the focus of heated discussions across the Internet. As the seasons change and the flu season approaches, many parents ask for help on social platforms: "How should I deal with my child's persistent dry cough?" This article combines authoritative medical advice and hot discussions in the past 10 days to provide you with structured solutions.
1. Analysis of common causes of dry cough in children (based on the latest data from tertiary hospitals)

| Reason type | Proportion | Typical characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| viral infection | 42% | Accompanied by low-grade fever and runny nose |
| allergic reaction | 28% | Aggravation at night, no phlegm |
| air drying | 15% | Obvious symptoms in the morning, improved environment and relief |
| Tracheal sensitivity | 10% | Aggravated by exercise |
| other factors | 5% | Special situations such as foreign body inhalation |
2. Graded treatment plan (organized based on Weibo health topic list)
1. Mild dry cough (≤10 times a day)
| measure | Specific operations | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| increase humidity | Use a humidifier to maintain 50% humidity | Daily water changes and cleaning |
| honey water | Children over 1 year old: 5ml before bedtime | Not allowed for use under 1 year old |
| Postural adjustment | Raise the head of the bed 15 degrees | Prevent acid reflux |
2. Moderate dry cough (11-20 times a day)
| measure | Applicable age | Recommended method |
|---|---|---|
| Normal saline atomization | All ages | 2 times a day, 5ml each time |
| Dextromethorphan | ≥6 years old | Use strictly according to dosage |
| TCM patching | ≥3 years old | Requires professional physician guidance |
3. Severe dry cough (>20 times a day or affecting sleep)
Indications for immediate medical attention:
Cough with shortness of breath (>40 times/minute)
A barking cough or wheezing sound
No relief lasting more than 72 hours
3. Five major misunderstandings that are hotly discussed on the Internet (Douyin/Xiaohongshu rumor refutation data)
| Misunderstanding content | Correct understanding | Source certification |
|---|---|---|
| Coughing can turn into pneumonia | Pneumonia causes cough, not the other way around | CCTV News |
| Antibiotics can cure dry cough | 90% of dry coughs do not require antibiotics | National Health Commission |
| Radix isatidis can prevent | No definite preventive effect | Food and Drug Administration Announcement |
4. The most popular 10-day dietary therapy plan (Baidu Index TOP3)
| Dietary therapy | Material preparation | Preparation method |
|---|---|---|
| pear candy | 2 Sydney pears + 1 Luo Han Guo | Simmer for 4 hours |
| White radish honey | White radish + honey | Pickle the juice after 2 hours |
| Lily porridge | 30g fresh lily + 50g japonica rice | Simmer until tender |
5. Special reminder (the latest advice from Dr. Lilac)
1.Principles for using cough medicines: It is not recommended to use central antitussives for children under 2 years old
2.Key points to observe during the course of disease: Record cough frequency, duration and triggers
3.Precautions: Keep vaccinated (such as flu vaccine), wash hands frequently, and ventilate frequently
Summary: The cause of dry cough in children needs to be scientifically determined to avoid over-treatment. It can be seen from the hot discussion content across the Internet that parents pay more attention to non-drug intervention and evidence-based medical solutions. When the cough persists or worsens, you should go to a pediatric respiratory specialist in time and do not blindly use Internet celebrity remedies.
check the details
check the details