Why is it not recommended to give coughing children cough syrup?

Winter is at its peak and viral diseases are on the rise significantly. In addition to the familiar symptoms, including a runny nose and fever, many parents complain of a cough in their children, which sometimes lasts for more than a few days.Despite the popularity of the various syrups that are supposed to alleviate the phenomenon, the doctors we spoke with explain that they are in no rush to recommend them as a medicine to treat the problem. “Coughing is a common phenomenon among children in this period,” notes Dr. Ilan Blau, an ENT specialist in the general Sharon Shomron district and a senior physician in the ENT department at the Meir Medical Center. “It is a natural mechanism that helps the body get rid of unwanted bodies, such as Phlegm for example and it may last for a long period of time, sometimes several weeks after recovery. Therefore, despite the fact that it may cause discomfort, most doctors are not in a hurry to suggest ways that suppress it.”

 

Dr. Blau adds that although the various syrup medicines sold in pharmacies may help to reduce the cough, it is important to consider a few things before considering taking them. “First, many of the syrups contain codeine which is actually an opiate derivative. Beyond that, as mentioned, coughing is a natural and effective phenomenon, so if there is no justified reason, such as in the case of bleeding due to a prolonged cough or a diaphragmatic hernia that may be caused by it – I would not rush to use drugs that suppress it.”

 

If it’s a prolonged cough that disturbs the child’s rest, Dr. Blau recommends first contacting a pediatrician for a diagnosis. According to him, ENT doctors can help especially when it comes to a cough caused by inhaling a foreign body.

It is important to understand what the cause is

Dr. Liat Atstein, a pediatrics specialist at Maccabi, states that a cough can be caused by various reasons. “The most common cause in the winter season is a virus in the upper airways, which can manifest itself in congestion and a lot of sputum, concentrated in the part of the pharynx and nose. But there can be other reasons such as reflux or rarer diseases. Therefore, I definitely recommend going to the pediatrician if the cough lasts more than a few days. This way you can rule out diseases such as asthma, pneumonia (bacterial or viral), or whooping cough that requires the use of antibiotics. By the way, whooping cough is a very contagious disease, so if the child is indeed diagnosed with it, it is important to understand who the child comes in contact with and treat it if necessary. The recommendation is especially valid in this season when there is an outbreak of the disease in Israel, for babies and also for unvaccinated children or adults.”

Like Dr. Blau, she is not in a hurry to prescribe cough syrup for coughing children. Their effectiveness is limited. If you are already using cough syrup, I always suggest trying a natural syrup first, but one that has been scientifically proven. In any case, the various syrup products are only suitable for children over one year old.”

Also, she recommends an available and effective tip that can help, according to her, sometimes even more than the use of medication, pay attention – honey. “A spoonful of honey a day should help, but honey should not be given to babies under one year old.”

In conclusion, the doctor clarifies that “before rushing to find a solution that will relieve the cough, it is first important to understand what caused it.”