Could there be something wrong with my stepson?

When I met my husband my stepson was 3 years old ,now he's 5 and ever since I remember he has had a weird cough on and off,probably gets it at least twice a year lasting for 1-2 months,it's very loud and it seems like very bothering to him( must be) he can't keep a conversation without being interrupted by the cough,I don't know if I am freaking out or his mom and dad are taking it too slightly.He's with us from Friday night - Sunday afternoon.He barely got medication last week,but this is the first time I ever see him on any kind of medication,I told my husband many times that his cough sounds really bad and he just tells me that it's because of the weather changes but I am still concerned specially because I have an 8 month old baby girl.Could he have bronchitis or some lung disease?

Coughing is not normal when it interrupts speech and irritates and alarms you. You are right to be concerned about a cough that does not seem to clear up and since he is in your care from Friday to Sunday you should be able to identify the medication he is taking. His parents, however, should tell you before you give a medication, what it is, when to give it and under what conditions and clear instructions on what to do if medical care is needed. What you describe may be allergic asthma/bronchitis and treatable as well as preventable. Pulmonary function testing is usually not indicated in his age group , except perhaps a peak flow metered if asthma is suspected and in the moderate range and inhaled medication id prescribed. He needs to be seen by a pediatrician who can refer to pediatric lung specialist or an allergist if indicated.

I have no idea what it could be,but if it's chronic then he should be seen by a doctor,it's that simple.Shame on his father and mother for not taking him before now!

You should have him checked for asthma, it may be seasonal allergy triggered and should be checked right away. He should not be treated with over the counter medication just in case this is a type of asthma, asthma patients have fluid in their lungs on a constant basis and the decongestent in otc meds casue this fluid to turn to rubber cement in dangering them of getting pneumonia. Have checked soon, please and good luck.

It sounds as though he may have had whooping cough as a baby - perhaps he wasnt immunised against it. After a child has a bad attack of whooping cough, every time they develop a cough later they get a loud croupy barking cough which weeks.. This can go on for years but will eventualy pass and will not be passed o to your child.

The best way to start off is to let the M.D. know that this cough has been pretty persistent and ask for some lung function tests to see if there are any restrictions in his lungs if this Dr can't do them ask to be referred to a pulmonologist.

it's probably allergies since he seems to have it all the time and it gets worse.
if anyone smokes around him it could be that also.
check his environment and dog/cats etc.. see about getting him checks
also mike products will keep him coughing. stay off the milk cheese and see if he gets better.

I'm 53yrs old and have had a cough since I was small. I have chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, and seasonal allergies. I've had post nasal drip for years which causes constant coughing. I take prescription medication-allegra D-twice/day and have to use two nasal sprays twice/day to control the post nasal drip or I cough all day and cough myself awake at night. It took many years of doctoring and allergy to get the correct medication. But that was in the 50's,60's, & 70's. Alot has changed since then. Find a good BOARD CERTIFIED pediatric allergist. Good Luck!

A cough is natures way of telling a body that something is wrong. Either encourage his biological mother to take him to a doctor, or have your husband do it. It could be anything ranging from asthma to bronchitis. Whatever it is - it definitely should be treated. Why should some poor 5 year old suffer?

I have an 8 year old daughter with Cystic Fibrosis. She often has a cold with a very deep cough you would swear from the sound that she was a grown man. CF has different severities in each child. You may want to have him checked for Cystic Fibrosis it is a simple sweat test. Good Luck!!!!