What to do when your kid starts to cough?

I like to jot down all these important reminders I read from the web. It serves the purpose of constantly reminding me not to give medicine if it’s not necessary. Yeah, I want my boy to grow up healthily and doesn’t rely on medicine. I want his immune system to be strong so that he can recover by his own when he is down with fever, flu or cough.

Excerpt from Kidshealth.org
(http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/childs_cough.html#)

Because most coughs are caused by viruses, doctors usually do not give antibiotics for a cough. If the cough is caused by a virus, it just needs to run its course. A viral infection can last for as long as 2 weeks. Unless a cough won't let your child sleep, cough medicines are not needed.

When to Call the Doctor
Most childhood coughs are nothing to be worried about. However, call your doctor if your child:
· has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe
· is breathing more quickly than usual
· has a blue or dusky color to the lips, face, or tongue
· has a high fever (especially if your child is coughing but does NOT have a runny or stuffy nose)
· has any fever and is less than 3 months old
· is an infant (3 months old or younger) who has been coughing for more than a few hours
· makes a "whooping" sound when breathing in after coughing
· is coughing up blood
· has stridor (a noisy or musical sound) when breathing in
· has wheezing when breathing out (unless you already have a home asthma care plan from your doctor)
· is weak or cranky