1. Croup – is a virus that causes hoarse voice, a cough like a seal barking, fevers, and raspy breathing sounds. Click on croup if this describes your child.
2. Whooping cough or pertussis – is a special type of infection in the lungs caused by the pertussis bacteria. Children are routinely immunized against this, but the shot may not always totally prevent whooping cough. It starts off as a normal cold for the first week or two a clear runny nose and typical cough. Then the cough worsens into coughing fits that last between 30 seconds and two minutes. During the fit, your child is coughing continuously to the point where he can barely take a breath. When he finally takes a deep breath, there may be an audible “whooping” sound, and then the coughing fit continues. After as long as two minutes, your child will often throw up, and then the fit is over and he may seem better between coughing episodes. If your child has a horrible cough with throwing up, but the fits are only 10 to 20 seconds, then it is probably not whooping cough. This is not an emergency, and can wait until you can see your doctor in the office.
Dr. Sears suggests: If your child has a past history of “colds always going to his ears or chest” you may want to consult your doctor and begin medication earlier in the course of the cold.