When to call the doctor about your child’s cough

Come winter, it’s difficult to escape the cacophony of hacking and throat-clearing that accompanies the common cold. Fortunately, most coughs are associated with self-limiting respiratory infections and will clear up on their own with time. But how do you know when a cough is worrisome — and when it’s time to call your pediatrician? We asked Dr. Tregony Simoneau, a pulmonologist in the Aerodigestive Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, to weigh in. Here are seven things to consider when making the call.

Get more answers from Boston Children’s Hospital.