Coughs for Months...Is It Asthma?

Updated on September 04, 2008
S.L. asks from Oakland, CA
5 answers

My 33 months old son has been coughing for several months now.
It started three months ago with a really bad cold and as his pedi recommended, I gave him some triminic(sp?) cold & cough and that seem to have controlled the cough for a while and it started coming back few weeks after. Now he coughs when he's sleeping, running and when he gets cold air from outside. We visited his doctor twice already and she said that his lungs sounds clear and it just seems to be a viral infection. I am not at ease since his cough is still going on (some days are better than others) and really think that he needs to be tested for allergies or asthma. I am suspecting that he might be allergic to dust mites but I am not sure. What type of test does he need to go through? Are they going to be able to pinpoint exactly what he's allergic to? If Asthma is treated early on, can it get better without carrying into his adulthood? I am very concerned...

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S.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi S., I saw your questions so I thought I could offer you some information based on what I have expierenced. I have a 34 month old son and a 6 1/2 daughter. When my daughter was about 2 she got her first real cold. I found out that while she is sick she wheezes alot so our doctor said she has asthma as it does run in our family.. We treated with a nebulizer with Albuterol and Pulmacort and it has done its job. With my son who is an allergy sufferer when he is sick he crackles in his lungs. Still we use the nebulizer for him and it helps. The first sign of a cough and cold, we start that and usually within a couple weeks it's all over with. Our Doctor told us that using a cough syrup compresses the cough whereas the the nebulizer brings out the cough. I would get him check for ashtma/allergies. Better to know now then to be shocked if her ever has an attack...and then what??
We also had my son do an allergy test and found out he is allergic to certain foods, which is good to know concidering he will be starting pre-school in the next year.

I hope this helps you!!!!

1:pm today, I ended taking my son into his dr. today. All I can say is you know your child/children. My son woke up this morning and was wheezing so bad. Remember in the comment above I said he crackles when he is sick. He is sick now and is wheezing. Well the doctor I saw today said he is developing Asthma. Take no chances with your kids. You never know! If you are not happy with what you hear the first time go to another. I love my kids Doctor. Although I moved about 45 miles away, I will take them there when need be!!
Pediatric Medical Group in San Francisco. All 3 of the Doctors are wonderful!!!

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J.E.

answers from San Francisco on

I feel for you S.. When my son was two, we talked to the doctor about his asthma. The doctor says he could hear a little wheezing and gave us Singulair and Albuterol. They seemed to help him when he needed it. (The singulair is a daily tablet, and the albuterol is used as needed).

What worked more long term was to get the toxic chemicals out of our home as much as possible. We switched stores and now get cleaners, bath & body products, medicine cabinet supplies even vitamins and snack from from a company that doesn't use any known toxins in their products. Check out www.SwitchingStores.info and request information. You will be called and informed about the products available.

Good luck
J.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

It sounds like you might be right - allergies or asthma. If your pedi is not willing to consider these, then I would see someone else. Asthma can get better as the child gets older or it can get worse. I don't know if there's any way to tell. Same with allergies. I always take my children/grandchildren to childrens hospital in Oakland when I can't get their regular pedi to listen to me. they are great out there and they will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that you get a proper and timely diagnosis.

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S.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Everyone says a mom knows her child best. I can't speak to the asthma questions, but I would say that since this has you very concerned, you should probably go see another doctor just to reassure you.

For what it is worth, my 22 mos old has had a cough for 7 weeks as a result of a virus. Some kids get wheezy sounding colds more often than other children, and these kids will usually grow out of it according to our pediatrician.

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T.D.

answers from San Francisco on

My poor son (4yr) suffered for a whole when we moved into a townhouse in Walnut Creek. Immediately he got a cold and in the course of a month, he saw 5 different doctors and we were told he had a bad cold, pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma. My poor child endured antibotics and inhalers. Come to find out, the town house we lived in had rats living in the walls! Yes, Rats. We moved out immediately and almost instantly in our new home, he was better. I believe my son was allergic to the nasty rats as well as their could have been a mold problem. My son was too young to be tested for allergies per his pediatrician. Today, he takes Zyrtec nightly and only, only uses an inhaler if he has a nasty cold. I bet your child does have an allergy to something and it may not be asthma. Feels like Doctors use the word asthma alot these days, doesn't me your child has it. Ask about Zyrtec. It has helped us & my son.
Our late night coughing trick was warm apple juice with honey. That usually soothes the little ones throat. Good luck. I am sickened to know that someone rented a place to us with a rodent problem. It affected my family in the worst way.

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