It can be easy to confuse asthma with a cold or flu, especially since colds and flu can actually trigger asthma symptoms. So it’s important to learn how to recognize the most common symptoms of all three conditions. Compare your child’s symptoms with those listed in the chart below.
| Illness |
Symptoms to Look Out For |
| Cold |
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Runny, stuffy nose
|
| Flu |
- Dry cough
- High fever/chills
- Blocked and/or runny nose
- Aching muscles/joints; feel bad all over
- Headache
- Lack of appetite
|
| Asthma |
- Coughing (especially at night)
- Wheezing — a whistling sound when your child breathes
- Rapid breathing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- Tightness in chest
|
Some asthma symptoms are loud or obvious, such as coughing and wheezing. But there are also the quiet, less obvious symptoms of asthma you may need to look for in children, such as
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Restlessness during sleep
- Unusual paleness
- Sweating or anxiety
- Irritability
It’s helpful to remember that asthma symptoms are not only heard but seen as well. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, but you’re just not sure if it’s asthma, it’s important to speak to your child’s doctor. And if any of these symptoms are severe, don’t hesitate to contact the doctor immediately or head straight to the emergency room.
Your child’s doctor needs your input
Because children can’t always express their symptoms, your child’s doctor may rely on you to report symptoms in order to make an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendations. It’s important to talk to the doctor if your child’s symptoms become more severe, if your child is using a rescue medicine more than 2 times a week, or if your child’s sleep is interrupted more than twice a month due to coughing or breathing problems.
AsthmaKidCare™ members content
Keep track of your child’s symptoms by maintaining an asthma symptom tracker.
It will help you communicate complete and accurate information to the doctor.
Also download the "Asthma Triggers" document to gain even more knowledge of the
common asthma triggers your child may face, along with tips on how to avoid them.
Asthma Symptom Tracker (PDF – 363KB)
Asthma Triggers: What to Know, What to Do (PDF – 459KB)
It’s also important to learn about your child’s asthma triggers and, if possible, find ways to avoid them.
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