Recognizing Asthma Symptoms in Your Child

It can be easy to confuse asthma with a cold or flu, especially since colds and flus can actually trigger asthma symptoms. So it's important to learn how to recognize the most common symptoms of asthma. Compare your child's symptoms with those listed below.

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

Intermittent chest pain
Fatigue and lack of energy
Limiting play activities by the child
Irritability

It's helpful to remember that asthma symptoms are not just heard - they can also be seen. 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 two times a week, or if your child's sleep is interrupted more than twice a month due to coughing or breathing problems.

Learn your child's asthma triggers

It's also important to learn about your child's asthma triggers and, if possible, find ways to avoid them. Download Asthma Triggers: What to Know, What to Do to gain even more knowledge on the common asthma triggers your child may face, along with tips on how to avoid them.

Get the facts about avoiding asthma triggers

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Doctor
Discussion Guide

Learn how to talk to your doctor and help improve your child's asthma symptoms with the Doctor Discussion Guide.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PULMICORT RESPULES

Important Safety Information

PULMICORT RESPULES is not a bronchodilator and should NOT be used to treat an acute asthma attack. If your child is switching to PULMICORT RESPULES from an oral corticosteroid, follow the doctor's instructions to avoid serious health risks when your child stops using oral corticosteroids.

Only use PULMICORT RESPULES with a jet nebulizer machine that is connected to an air compressor. Do not use an ultrasonic nebulizer.

Thrush infection of the mouth and throat may occur with PULMICORT RESPULES.

Avoid exposure of your child to infections such as chicken pox and measles. Tell your doctor immediately if your child is exposed.

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth rate. The long-term effect on final adult height is unknown.

PULMICORT RESPULES should not be used if your child is allergic to budesonide or any of the ingredients.

Be sure to tell the healthcare provider about all your child's health conditions and all medicines he or she may be taking.

As with other inhaled asthma medications, bronchospasm, with an immediate increase in wheezing, may occur after dosing. If bronchospasm occurs following dosing with PULMICORT RESPULES, it should be treated immediately with a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Treatment with PULMICORT RESPULES should be stopped and your physician consulted.

The most common side effects include respiratory infection, runny nose, coughing, ear infection, viral infection, thrush in the mouth and throat, inflammation of the stomach including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite, nose bleed, pink eye, and rash.

Approved Use

PULMICORT RESPULES^® (budesonide inhalation suspension) is a maintenance medicine used to control and prevent asthma symptoms in children ages 12 months to 8 years.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information for PULMICORT RESPULES.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Prescribing PULMICORT RESPULES