How to Tell if a Child Has Asthma or Just a Benign Cough

When kids have a cough, parents often wonder if it's just a minor issue or something more serious like asthma. Knowing the difference can help parents seek the right care for their child. Here's some things to consider if you're wondering if your child has asthma or something else.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition that makes it hard to breathe because the airways in the lungs become narrow or inflamed. Common symptoms include:

• Coughing: Often worse at night or after exercise.

• Wheezing: A whistling sound when breathing out.

• Shortness of Breath: Feeling like it’s hard to catch your breath.

• Triggers: Symptoms may appear after exposure to dust, pollen, exercise, or even laughing.

If a child’s cough lasts more than a week after a cold, or if they improve with asthma medication like an inhaler, asthma might be the cause.

What Is a Benign Cough?

A benign cough usually happens with a common cold or mild viral infection. It:

• Goes Away: Most coughs from colds last less than a week.

• Includes Other Cold Symptoms: Such as a runny nose, mild fever, or sore throat.

• Doesn’t Worsen with Triggers: Unlike asthma, these coughs aren't triggered by exercise or allergens.

  
  

How to Tell the Difference

1. Look at the Timing

   • Asthma: Coughs that stick around for weeks or occur at specific times (like during exercise or at night) may indicate asthma.

   • Benign Cough: Lasts less than a week and improves without treatment.

2. Notice Triggers

   • Asthma: Triggered by allergens, exercise, cold air, or laughter.

   • Benign Cough: No specific triggers; related to a cold or flu.

3. Listen for Sounds

   • Asthma: Wheezing or whistling when breathing out.

   • Benign Cough: Dry or wet cough, but no wheezing.

4. Try a Bronchodilator (if prescribed)

   • Asthma: Symptoms improve after using an inhaler.

   • Benign Cough: No improvement with inhaler use.

     
     

When to See a Doctor

Take your child to a doctor if:

• The cough lasts more than two weeks.

• Breathing seems labored, or there’s wheezing.

• Coughing interrupts sleep regularly.

• They’ve had multiple coughing episodes with triggers like exercise or allergens.

  
  

Additional Tests

If asthma is suspected, the doctor might:

• Listen to the lungs for wheezing.

• Perform Spirometry: A test to measure how well the lungs are working (for older kids).

• Check for Allergies: To see if allergens are causing the asthma.

• Order a Chest X-Ray: If they suspect something else, like pneumonia or a swallowed object.

  
  

Understanding these differences can help parents know when a cough needs medical attention. For kids with asthma, early diagnosis means better management and fewer symptoms, so they can keep up with their friends and enjoy life fully.

Remember: Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s always okay to check in with your doctor or non-physician provider (like an Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant).