S.H.
I have had Asthma since I was a child. I also get runny nose from things like dust or pollen. Most people do.
Now, nasal congestion is a nose/sinus problem. That is not, asthma.
Do you mean that her current congestion and clearing of her throat, is from her nose... and post-nasal drip? Nose congestion or runny noses, causes post-nasal drip. That then causes a person to clear their throat. Because, the mucus from the nose, is dripping down the throat. Hence, a person will clear their throat and/or cough.
Coughing, comes from:
1) the sinus/nose/post-nasal drip, OR
2) the Chest, OR
3) Both (which can often happen when a person is sick.
I have been sick and have had Pneumonia.
To all of my experience with Asthma all my life, and per my Doctors... my Asthma does NOT CAUSE, Pneumonia.
What causes the Pneumonia is: a lung infection, caused by bacteria or virus contamination to the lungs, BECAUSE post-nasal dripping, as it goes down the throat, can ALSO enter the lungs... and then that contaminated mucus, then causes a lung issue, ie: Pneumonia.
I, have had that happen, to me. And that is what the Doctor, has said.
It is not Asthma which causes Pneumonia.
Getting Pneumonia, during or after being sick (even with a common cold), is then a SECONDARY, infection.
The Albuterol and Prednisone meds that your daughter got, is NOT a "cure" for Asthma nor for the cold she has. What Albuterol & Prednisone does... is it reduces the inflammation of the airways of the lungs, hence opening up the airways. Albuterol is a Bronchodilator. Prednisone is a corticosteroid. I have had that when my Asthma was bad. Because it is a corticosteroid, it serves to reduce inflammation of the airways so that the person can breathe better, to put it simply.
To me, your daughter was sick, then it turned into Pneumonia which was a secondary infection by that time. And she still has upper respiratory congestion and mucus, and post-nasal drip. Upper respiratory infections are caused by acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx. But it can then, infect/affect the chest and lungs. That is what happened to me. Seemingly overnight.
Then, another thing is: If a type of antibiotic is not working, then another family of antibiotics should be given.
Again, I have Asthma. It was not started by a cold. And I have also had Pneumonia, in TANDEM with a cold. And it was my upper respiratory cold, that then caused the Pneumonia.
My Asthma, did NOT cause the Pneumonia.
However, if a person does have Asthma, then their lung condition is more sensitive/fragile than a non-Asthma person. Thus for example, ANYTIME someone is sick with a cold, or if I have a cold... I staunchly guard my condition, because it can make me more sick than a typical person, and it can cause my Asthma to get very bad, very fast.
For me: when/if I am sick, I also take things like Claritin. Why? Because it dries up and helps, my congestion or runny nose.
Antibiotics, helps, infections. Bacterial infections. It does not help, viral infections. MAYBE that is why, your daughter was not helped much, by her antibiotic.
And there are 2 types of Pneumonia: Viral. Or, Bacterial.
Again, the "Asthma" meds, are NOT a cure, for any infections or colds. It is a Bronchodilator. It helps, Asthmatics to breathe, better. And more normally.