Most affected children will cough more with their colds than children who don't have asthma, and the cough often continues for weeks after the cold has gone away. Like most things in Pediatrics, the cough tends to be worse at night. The excess mucus production that is part of asthma leads to chest congestion, rather than the nasal congestion that is seen in any child with a cold. Excess mucus production in the bronchial tubes is an important part of asthma. Mucus, clogging up a bronchial tube, can even mimic the appearance of a pneumonia on a chest X-ray.
Many people believe that all asthmatics wheeze.
In these people, excessive cough is their only symptom of asthma. Note that many doctors are uncomfortable diagnosing asthma before the age of 6 - 12 months. Chest Clinic Nurse, CHEO This Web Site is provided for the information of parents of children with asthma. CHEO does not assume responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions contained in this Web Site. This site can not be used to make or confirm a diagnosis of asthma, or to treat people with asthma.