Child in bed coughing
- Estimates vary but around 1 in 11 or 1 in 13 children in the UK have asthma. This means the majority of children with wheeze caused by viruses will ‘grow out’ of their symptoms by school age.
- Children with asthma are often wheezy and have symptoms even when they don’t have a cold, for example with exercise or if they are around pets.
- Children with asthma often have other allergic conditions, for example eczema, a food allergy, rhinitis or hayfever.
- Children with asthma often have a close family member who has asthma or allergies.
- If you are worried your child is having symptoms in between viral infections you should speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to make sure they are on the correct medication.
If the child has a any of the following, make an appointment with your GP for a review.
- Regular night-time cough or wheeze.
- Symptoms such as wheeze, cough or tight chest on wakening in the morning.
- Problems when running around – you should be discus with a health care professional as further medicine may be needed to treat your child’s symptoms.
- If your child is already on a blue inhaler and using it more than three times a week this may also suggest different or more medication is needed.
