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2 year old coughing for 4 months

My two year old started coughing in August.  It is now November and he hasn't stoped.  We've seen the general practitioner (GP) (there are no pediatricians available freely in London) 4 times (maybe more), and every time I hear the same thing - viral infection, it will go away.  But it doesn't. It seems to go in cycles: starts of dry, and infrequent, and continues to become wet and he coughs every hour or so.  Then it slows down again, and goes back to being dry.  About two months ago, we've gone to the emergency room where they did an X-ray which was clean.  The GP also does not hear anything when he listens to my son's chest and back.  What do I do?  Is is allergies?  We have no pets, but it is an old house so I am starting to suspect dust mites.  I am frustrated and tired to guessing.  Please advise.  Many thanks in advance.
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251132 tn?1198078822
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Chronic cough in a two year old is a common, but difficult problem.  This can be from the upper airways, such as sinuses and allergies or from the lower airways, such as asthma and bronchitis.  There are generally 2 approaches taken.  The first is simply to treat the cough.  When the cough subsides in a short period of time, everyone is happy and no one really cares about the cause.  If it persists, as you have described, it is essential to determine the cause to get it under control.  A chest x-ray does not help a lot in the type of cough you are describing.  I would suggest talking with your doctor about a CT scan of the sinuses and an evaluation for possible allergies and asthma as the next steps.
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Avatar universal
Hi yellokat ~

This comes by way of moral support, since I have little advice to give. Having been in a similar situation, I understand how disconcerting it can be.

Like you, we also live in an older home that we
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