Persistent cough

Question

My son is 6 years old. He was examined by Dr. Doudounakis about a year ago, as he had repeating episodes of productive cough and because his sweat seemed very salty to me. We did a sweat test and the result was 26.
Last winter we had some episodes of moderate cough. For three weeks no he has a different, rough and usually productive cough nearly every hour day and night. He sneezed once and he secreted an especially sticky and thick mucus. I am starting to fear about the possibility of CF again. What can I do? Should I see a pediatric pneumologist? Should I repeat the sweat test?
His growth is beneath average but within the normal curves. He has a mild constipation but otherwise he is alright.
The oxygen in the blood is 99%. He is always active and exercises normally. He sweats excessively during the day and during sleep.

Answer

Dear friend,
In a six-year-old child there are many causes that may lead to cough. The most common are asthma, allergies and respiratory infections and more rarely immunological diseases, cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia.
You have done a sweat test with a negative result, through which you have practically excluded the possibility of CF.
You will have to investigate other possible causes of this cough and you should start from the most common ones before looking for the rarer ones.
In this investigation by a pediatric pneumologist would certainly be sensible.
Yours friendly,
Dr. Stavros Doudounakis

24.06.2014