Constant coughing brought on by virus and allergies

[Arlo1]

Hi all, I am a asthmatic myself and spent alot or my early years in an out of hospital on steroid medication now an adult feel lucky to say I only need my inhalers once in a blue moon.

However I have a 5 year old who for the last 3 years suffered with seasonal asthma he has piriton in the summer months which seem to help (touch wood) but winter time like now he's picked up a virus and can not shift his cough I have a monitor to check his oxygen levels which never seem that high although gp tells me his chest is clear keep on top of inhalers and ride it out but it's honestly so hard he's had so much time of school as soon as he seems well enough to go back he's off again he's a wild child full of energy typical boy but being at school he's exhausted at the end of the day even with teachers giving him his inhalers before and after play. Night time coughing is just as bad as the daytime, I've hit a brick wall I don't know what else I can do other then just keep on top of his inhalers which he currently has the blue and brown one.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated x

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, sorry to hear your son is struggling!

I don't have kids but as an adult asthmatic, it honestly sounds like his asthma isn't especially well controlled currently. The GP seems to be focusing on wheeze to indicate asthma, which doesn't have to be there for asthma to be an issue - and it sounds like coughing is his main symptom, which seems fairly common for children with asthma. I was diagnosed at 7 and I had a terrible night time cough especially which the GP said was very typical for childhood asthma.

Of course some may be post viral, but a virus is also likely to trigger asthma, so it may be what was enough before for him to control his asthma, currently isn't.

They should be looking at the whole picture, but my impression is that it can be tricky under 6 as they're reluctant to diagnose asthma. But they should be listening to you about the impact this is having on his life, and especially how often he's needing to use his reliever.

Does he use a spacer for his inhalers? Including at school? If he doesn't then it's definitely worth starting, and watching him to see how he takes it. As an asthmatic yourself of course you'll be more familiar with it, but even adults need a refresher! This link may be helpful: asthma.org.uk/advice/child/... and you can also ask your pharmacist to check technique.

HIs technique might already be fine/you may have checked it, but if not it's worth looking at. Won't be a magic bullet, but it may help a bit (especially when he has to take it at school, when you can't check if he's doing it right!)

I'd also recommend giving the asthma nurses on the helpline a ring: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm. I predict they'll tell you to go back to your GP with him - could you maybe get him in to see another one who doesn't keep saying his chest is clear as if that were the only marker of asthma? But it would probably be really helpful for you to have the chance to chat it through with more time and with specialist nurses, who can advise you on what to discuss with the GP.

[pink123floyd]

Hi Sorry your son is haveing a bad time my great granson has the same problem he has just turned 6 and stays for 1 day at the weekend i gave him some honey in hot water wich he drink when cool enough and this seems to ease his throat and as it gets soar with all the coughing .Hope you get some help for your son give him hugs from me .syay safe take care.xx