Was this an asthma attack or should I assume Covid and test?

[bathsh3ba]

My DD12 has had a cold and persistent but intermittent cough for a week. No fever or loss/change of smell/taste. On school's advice I called 119 and they advised she didn't need a test.

She has been prescribed a reliever inhaler. She has not been diagnosed with asthma. She has had the reliever inhaler a few years. Usually only needs it if she has to run long distance or has a cold, which almost always goes to her chest. She has never had what I would call an 'attack' before, she just gets kind of wheezy.

This morning, she was coughing more than she has been so I was keeping an eye on her and then she had a coughing fit that lasted about 5 minutes, she was wheezing and couldn't catch her breath properly and she was scared. I tried to keep her calm and gave her her inhaler, after 5 puffs, it subsided. Now she feels ok again and hasn't coughed since (about 2 hours ago now).

Does that sound like a (mild) asthma attack in which case I just speak to her GP for a review and maybe a steroid inhaler or should I now be worrying about Covid and keeping her well away from GP/hospital?

We are all home this weekend in any case, no plans.

I think she needs a test. You can also talk to your GP, but I would guess they would want you to rule out COVID before going forward.

Sounds like asthma to me, but you may want to rule out covid.

I would talk to your GP. My son gets a cold which triggers bad asthma every year and sometimes they give him different medicine and they will tell you whether to go for a test (ours said to test)

Isn’t a persistent cough one of the key three symptoms to test? Even if that is the only symptom?

I haven't heard of wheezing going with covid, although I guess it would trigger effects of asthma? I would probably wait and see how she is today, staying indoors. Asthma often gets worse as the weather changes (as it has done here this weekend). 5 puffs does sound like quite a lot. I would normally do 2 and I think I have been told if 2 does not cut it obviously you should take more if necessary, but you might need to seek medical advice.

I think you need to tackle both.

Book a test to rule out Covid.

Your child's symptoms could well be asthma. Poorly managed asthma is dangerous. Speak to your GP, she might need a preventer inhaler or a short course of prednisolone. I wouldn't leave this, I would call the GP today.

@ceeveebee a continuous cough is the criteria. NHS 119 told us last weekend we didn't need to test.

But maybe it has got worse. She seems ok now, I guess I will watch her and maybe keep her off Monday and phone GP.

@MythicalBiologicalFennel I didn't see your post till after I had posted. I feel a bit melodramatic phoning out of hours GP when she is back to normal now

That sounds like my asthma. I don't wheeze I cough a lot and an "attack" is a massive fit of coughing, eased by a blue inhaler.

Coughs go to my chest and I'm more coughy in winter.

If I'm honest I'd ask a Gp or asthma nurse if you could rule out asthma as if she does have it she's not being treated.

She should be on a steroid inhaler and rarely need the blue even with a bad cold (though some creep through.)

Asthma U.K. would be the best people to advise to be honest.

If she was having more than 3 bouts of coughing then i think it would have been test.
If asthmatic i wouldnt send to school until cough is gone as you dont want maybe covid on top.
Is it a dry cough?
My asthma usually is a chesty cough and the phlegm causes my wheeze.

Something I don't understand is why MNers post so many queries like this. Isn't there a service, NHS 111? that people can call to talk thru their situations and the test or no test decision?

No it's a mucous cough

Phone an asthma helpline or ask for advice from your asthma nurse at GPs. Not randomers on the internet. If 119 already told you she doesn't need a CV test then listen to their advice.

I think an asthma cough is normally dry and unproductive. I would speak to Dr about having to use 5 puffs, I think that seems a lot and maybe she should be on preventative inhaler

Ive just looked at that and it does say dry. But can be either. If i guess one of your triggers is colds/flu etc.
Maybe honey and lemon drink (homemade) or olbas oil to inhale on tissue?