Paediatrics, by video or in person
Cough and Catarrh in Children
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Cough and Catarrh in Children
- Runny or blocked nose, with clear, white, yellow or green catarrh
- Cough, dry or with phlegm, often worse at night
- Sneezing and a sore throat
- Mild fever
- Noisy breathing from a blocked nose
Published Mezo prices. Each links to what the price covers.
Cough and catarrh, a runny or blocked nose, are the commonest reasons children are unwell, and most come from colds caused by viruses. Young children catch several colds a year, and the cough after a cold can last three to four weeks while the airways settle. Antibiotics do not help a cold. What matters is your child's breathing: fast breathing, or the lower chest sucking in with each breath, can mean pneumonia, which needs a doctor quickly, and a wheeze or night cough that keeps coming back may be asthma.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Runny or blocked nose, with clear, white, yellow or green catarrh
- Cough, dry or with phlegm, often worse at night
- Sneezing and a sore throat
- Mild fever
- Noisy breathing from a blocked nose
- Poor feeding in babies who cannot breathe through the nose
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now if your child is struggling to breathe, with the lower chest or the skin between the ribs sucking in; is breathing very fast; grunts, or has pauses in breathing; has blue or grey lips or tongue; cannot drink or breastfeed; is very drowsy or floppy; or coughs up blood. See a doctor the same day for a baby under three months with a cough and fever, or any child with fever and fast breathing. See a doctor if a cough lasts more than three weeks, keeps coming back, comes with wheeze, whooping or weight loss, or if your child has been near someone with tuberculosis.
Treatment options
- Fluids, rest, and saline drops to keep a baby's nose clear for feeding
- Honey in a warm drink for children over one year, never for babies under one
- A count of the breathing rate and an examination of the chest where pneumonia is possible
- Antibiotics only for a bacterial infection such as pneumonia, prescribed by a doctor
- Assessment for asthma, allergy or tuberculosis when a cough keeps coming back or will not go
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Does my child need antibiotics for catarrh?
Usually not. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not shorten them. Green or yellow catarrh on its own does not mean a bacterial infection.
Do cough syrups help?
There is little evidence that cough syrups help, and some cough and cold medicines are not suitable for young children. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before giving any medicine to a child.
How do I know if my child is breathing too fast?
Count the breaths for one full minute while your child is calm, watching the chest or tummy rise. The WHO treats 60 or more a minute as fast under two months of age, 50 or more from two to twelve months, and 40 or more from one to five years. If you are unsure, a doctor can count it with you on a video call.
Need Help?
A children's doctor on a video call, who tells you whether your child needs to be examined in person.
See a paediatrician by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
Find a verified paediatrics specialist near you.
Paediatrics in Lagos →Paediatrics in Abuja →Paediatrics in Port Harcourt →Paediatrics in Jos →Paediatrics in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Cough (acute): antimicrobial prescribing (NG120). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Pneumonia in children. World Health Organization. Fact sheet.
- Cough. NHS. Patient information.
- Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) set of distance learning modules. World Health Organization, 2014. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 24 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.