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General health information

Asthma in children

In asthma, the airways become inflamed and narrower. A child may develop coughing, wheezing, a feeling of tightness or difficulty breathing, especially at night, during exercise or with infections.

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  • Asthma is a long-term inflammation and increased sensitivity of the airways, with episodes of wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and pressure in the chest.
  • Wheezing in young children does not automatically mean asthma; viral infections and other causes are common.
  • Diagnosis uses the pattern of symptoms, examination and, from a suitable age, objective lung function tests.
  • A child should have a written asthma action plan and the correct inhaler technique with a suitable spacer.
  • An inhaled corticosteroid that reduces inflammation is the basis of treatment for recurring asthma; repeatedly using only an airway-opening medicine is usually not safe enough.
  • Never smoke or vape around the child; treat nasal allergy symptoms and reduce relevant triggers without avoiding all sport or outdoor air.
  • Good control means being able to sleep, play, exercise and attend school normally, with as few attacks as possible.
  • A child who cannot speak or drink, has skin sucking in with breathing, turns blue, is drowsy or does not respond to reliever medicine needs an immediate call to 912.

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Further reading

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Asthma in adultsAsthma in adults causes episodes of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. With the right treatment, most people can control their symptoms well.
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PneumoniaPneumonia is an infection of lung tissue. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or sometimes material going down the wrong way into the airways, known as aspiration. Common symptoms include coughing, fever, shortness of breath, pain on breathing, tiring easily and feeling unwell. Older people, young children and those with chronic illness can become seriously unwell more quickly. Pneumonia does not always need the same treatment. Appropriate antibiotic use therefore matters: use them only when suited to the likely cause and severity.