Asthma cough or just a cold cough? Child

[Starrydream]

DS(8) was diagnosed with asthma 6 months ago so this is all fairly new to us and I’m not sure if his cough is an asthma one or just a cold cough. Coughing was not a symptom before he was diagnosed - his was severe breathing difficulties/low oxygen/high pulse on three occasions, two of which required hospitalisation.

He has been coughing on/off for 3 weeks - coughs once or twice, occasionally a fit, and can be hours between coughing or less. No other cold symptoms but has had a headache a few times.

No wheezing, shortness of breath, waking at night coughing (I’ve only heard him coughing in his sleep once). Nothing other than intermittent coughing, and he says no phlegm etc.

Oxygen 98-99%, pulse normal as is temp.

He has the brown Clenil inhaler - 1 puff AM & PM. Has rarely used the blue Salbutamol and it has only been exercise-induced.

Does this sound like a possible asthma cough or just a cold cough? I query it as he never, ever gets coughs that last this long. He has always had a robust constitution and fights off colds and coughs easily and quickly.

Have not tried getting him to use the blue inhaler to see if it helps - should we?

The GP and Asthma & Lung helpline are closed until Tuesday. I have no immediate concerns but of course would ring 111 etc if he were showing signs of deterioration.

Sound like it is probably asthma, is it worse at certain times of the day? Or do you notice it being worse when certain things happen I.e. you have dusted/heating come on etc? Do you keep the house ventilated, windows open or on vent to keep an airflow?

And thing altered at home? Perfume use, air freshener. Detergent fragrance?

I ask because all of these trigger my asthma as well as dd.

Neither of us have the traditional wheeze, we both cough.

Has he complained of feeling sick or is he bringing up bile? My asthma triggers silent reflux which means I often suddenly have stomach acid in my throat. This irritates. Causes me to cough. Triggers an asthma attack and then the whole things starts over.

Has the asthma nurse talked to you abiut how to vary his inhaler etc?

@Onceuponaheartache we haven’t had any changes in the house such as perfumes, air fresheners etc. The house is reasonably well ventilated, and dusted and vacuumed regularly. With it being winter the windows aren’t as wide open as usual.

We haven’t noticed any pattern of when he coughs either, and he hasn’t mentioned reflux (or described it). His peak flow is lower at around 190-210 and his normal is 240. We were told 150 is when to seek urgent help.

He hasn’t seen an asthma nurse at our GP’s yet as he was provisionally diagnosed on his second hospital admission and a nurse spoke to us there about how to use the inhalers, what to do if getting worse etc. A month later the paediatrician confirmed the diagnosis (6 months ago now).

Last week I had a text from the GP with a link to a questionnaire on his asthma but at the time I didn’t link the coughing so it looks to them like all is fine the way I answered it. But, no one has explained symptoms like coughing (without a cold) so I will contact the GP surgery on Tuesday and see if he can see the asthma nurse.

If his peak flow is lower than normal the normal advice is to up his brown inhaler to two puffs twice a day. I would try this til the gp reopens to stop his peak flow dropping any lower.

Personally I would get him to take the blue one first to open up his airway.

I assume he has a spacer for his inhalers?

It could just be the changeable weather that is triggering or he could be brewing something that hasn't fully come out.

Keep a close eye on him and if you are worried call 111.