Signs Of Asthma

[Nini74]

My 3 year old has a very bad cold at the moment which has developed into a chesty cough - it all sounds loose when he coughs. He's very blocked up/runny nose, just full of cold bless him. Tonight it seemed his cough was getting worse and when I put him to bed he sounded like he was wheezing and was a little breathless after minimum effort (for a 3 year old). I know the wheezing may or may not be linked to possible asthma but what else should I look out for? I remember from my own childhood that my brother had terrible bronchial asthma and the sound of the wheezing scared me a little when I heard my little one doing it earlier. I know it may well be just a bad cold and a cough - I just need a little advice on how to monitor it or whether there is anything else that should be considered a warning sign of asthma, just so I know what to look out for.. I've put an extra cushion under his pillow, and his window is on the latch (room is warm enough though don't worry). Any tips gratefully received xxxx

[pixie373]

A steamy bathroom can help, too. The best thing is to get him checked by a doctor as soon as you can. My youngest has asthma and it is scary. His seems to be more under control now, although does play up if he gets a cold.

[pixie373]

Could also be chest infection. Asthmatic cough is quite"dry".

[237SJ]

Asthma is a constriction of the airways. Signs to look for are difficulty in breathing, anxiety, cough and hypoxia. It is a good idea to raise his pillow. Just monitor him - he should be OK

[Nini74]

thanks guys - I will get him checked out by doctor if I feel its anything more than a cough/cold - just got a little paranoid about the wheezing sound, which I know can just be related to the cough. The cough is quite chesty, so i'm now feeling a little reassured - thanks again both xx

[237SJ]

I think the wheezing is a symptom of his cold and nothing to worry about.

[Sqad]

Difficult......may be very difficult to diagnose asthma at 3 years old.

One needs a wait and see approach but in the case of your son, it does sound like an upper respiratory tract infection.

if he has a temperature and the coughing and wheezing doesn't stop by tomorrow morning, then i would suggest that you consult your GP as antibiotics may well be required.

[anneasquith]

you can never be too careful with children. g/p today.

[Eve]

I'd be careful with steam as so young. I'm asthmatic and steam makes me worse, I find it much harder to breathe in steam rooms or saunas but I'm old enough to know not to go in them, not that I'm suggesting you might take him in either, more a general point that, if he is asthmatic then until you know what might affect him then take care :)

My asthma was a dry cough too though I can get a cold/chesty or productive cough and asthma symptoms at the same time so worth getting him checked if he is wheezy. Mine improved a lot as I got older though it still troubles me sometimes, often when I get a bad cold/chest infection/virus etc...

I got the horrible chesty thing going round recently and ended up on steroids as my breathing got really bad.