Coughs are one of the most frequent symptoms of childhood illness, and although they can sound awful at times, they usually are not a symptom of anything dangerous.
Occasionally, though, coughs can be cause for a visit to your child's doctor. If you learn to recognise certain types of coughs, you will know how to handle them and when you should seek medical help.
The following audio clips have been reproduced with kind permission by Prof Eugene Weinberg, paediatric specialist at Red Cross Hospital, Cape Town.