My 8 month old boy has had an infrequent cough for about 2 weeks following a bad cold. 2 days ago his cough got much worse, keeping him awake for much of the night, and he seemed a bit wheezy in the mornings. I am living away from the UK at the moment in a non-English speaking country but I took my son to an English-speaking paediatrician (we don't really have GPs here) today. He listened to his chest a bit, checked his throat and ears and then gave me a spacer and a low dosage ventolin inhaler and told me to admnister the medication 4-5 times a day for a week. When I asked what I should do after that he said 'nothing' and that I ddin't need to come back, the medication would definitely make my son better but not necesarily make the symptoms clear up completely. He didn't say that my son had asthma - he said that this 'wasn't like adult-onset asthma' but that I should expect the symptoms to reoccur whenever my son has bad colds or infections in the future.
I feel a bit confused and I worry that I miss out on the important details because I am relying on my doctor to translate everything from one language to another for me. Does my son have asthma? Can you really tell from 5 minutes with a stethoscope and a tongue depressor? If so, according to the things I've read so far on this incredibly helpful website, shouldn't I be doing more to help my child? Or am I over-reacting and being a tad hysterical - very possible in my currently sleep deprived state!
I'm a relevant newbie to asthma but felt I had to say hi at the very least. I'm sure someone from this forum will have had 'baby' asthma experience and could maybe give, if not advice, then at least a shoulder to lean on.
GrannyMo xx
Don't panic!
Hi Marielle
From what you say in your message I think you can relax a bit! My own son was diagnosed with asthma at 10 months after becoming very unwell (that is to say admitted to hospital 3 times in 2 months) with breathing difficulties. I was told then that babies often wheeze and cough becuase their airways, being to small, are more likely to be narrowed by extra secretions that you get when you have a cold. This is why you have been given ventolin - to relax the airways and ease breathing while your child is getting over the cold.
It is my experience (I live in Surrey and have 3 boys aged 11, 9 and 5) that it is common practise here to give ventolin via a spacer to young children and babies who have wheezing and coughs associated with colds to relieve their symptoms during the illness. This doesn't neccessarily seem to go on to a diagnosis of asthma.
I see your point about being able to make a diagnosis in only 5 minutes but it is my understanding that asthma is diagnosed over a period of time (especially if the onset is mild). If your baby is responding well to the ventolin then consider it like taking paracetamol for a fever - use regularly ( as prescribed) until the symptoms have gone and if it doesn't work or you have any worries that your babies breathing then don't hesitate to ask the doctor to review and put you mind at rest.
I know it is hard, but try to just wait and see how things go. Do what you are doing - give the medicine as prescribed and time will tell if you are going to have more problems or not.
All the best and do reply if you'd like to talk more
We are on an ex pat posting in a non English speaking country in and have similar issues with health care. I feel like I need a medical degree every time we get sick!
I had the same problem with our son, beginning around 9 months of age. I went to the doctor and they told me to give him ventolin without much explanation. He got better, but then we went on holiday to France and my son got a very bad cough. I took him to the doctor there and he put him on steroids, antibiotics and ventolin with the spacer. The doctor seemed annoyed that I hadnt reacted sooner which made me feel terrible.
As a result, I took him back to the UK to see our GP. The GP put him on another course of steroids, antibiotics and ventolin and he improved greatly. The whole time I was communicating these treatments back to my pediatrician in Cairo. She then put him on a preventative medicine called Singulair which he took every day for about 2 months. He got so much better (but it was summer by then) that when went back to the Uk for a holiday in July, I stopped giving it to him altogether.
He has not had any problems for 3 months until now. He is wheezing again and is now back on the ventolin, but this time through a nebuliser. In a few days time he should be much better.
Not at any point has my son been diagnosed as having asthma. What I have learned from this is that every time he gets cold symptoms, I take him straight to the doctor.
I hope this helps.If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thank you...
... for the very helpful advice. It was very reassuring to know that ventolin use can be fairly commonplace with babies - my elder son had severe croup a few times as a baby but we never came across this with him. I think I just have to take it easy and wait and see as you suggest (but it was good to know that other people have the ex-pat experience too :o) ) The symptoms seem to be worse so far rather than better but it's only been 2 days (and we're finding the spacer very difficult as our baby hates it - feels more like we're attacking him rather than helping him right now :o( ) - but it was wonderful to hear advice from some friendly voices, especially when 'home' is far away.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
New confused and fed-up!
First Post - Inhaler side effects worth it?
Loaded with a heavy COLD
Quit smoking 5 fags a day for 14 years and asthma has kicked off.. 
What is acceptable with regards to symptoms?
