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Children's Hospital

Pediatric Asthma Program

Pediatric Asthma Program | Asthma Resource Numbers | Asthma Basics | Asthma Triggers | Asthma Management | Asthma Action Plan | Does My Child Have Asthma? | Goals of Asthma Control | Is My Child's Asthma Under Control? | When To Take Your Child to the ER | Asthma Videos with Dr. Mary Beth Bollinger | Asthma Word Search | Kohl's Cares for Kids

What are the symptoms, and how do I know if my child has asthma?

Common asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms often occur at night and with exercise or activity. The following questions can help you consider whether or not your child should be evaluated for asthma:

  • Does your child have repeated episodes of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing?
  • Does your child have coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing when they play or exercise?
  • In the last year, has your child missed school because of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing?
  • In the past month, has your child had coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing in the daytime?
  • In the past month, has your child had coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing at nighttime or with sleep?
  • Have you ever been told by a health care provider that your child has bronchitis?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it is possible that your child may have asthma. It is important to talk to your child’s health care provider about these symptoms.



This page was last updated on: May 10, 2011.

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