The child rarely has symptoms between episodes, with the exception of one or two instances per month of mild symptoms at night. The doctor will design an asthma management plan to treat mild symptoms. Mild persistent asthma Children with episodes of wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath that occur more than twice a week but less than once a day are said to have mild persistent asthma. Symptoms usually occur at least twice a month at night and may affect normal physical activity. Moderate persistent asthma Children with moderate persistent asthma have daily symptoms and require daily medication.
Nighttime symptoms occur more than once a week.
Episodes of wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath occur more than twice a week and may last for several days. These symptoms affect normal physical activity. Severe persistent asthma Children with severe persistent asthma have symptoms continuously. They tend to have frequent episodes of wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath that may require emergency treatment and even hospitalization. Many children with severe persistent asthma have frequent symptoms at night and can handle only limited physical activity.