You are here:

Asthma/coughing

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/9/2009


Question
My son is 9 yrs old and so far has been healthy. For 3 weeks now he has been having a cough, mostly at night, that keeps him awake half the night. We went to see the doc a week ago - lungs were clear, no fever, no other symptoms. Doc diagnosed it as a virus, without taking any swabs.
We live in a commuter town in NJ, near NYC, it's a very residential area, virtually single family homes, lots of mature trees. We have a dog - since before we had the kids. We have been doing a big construction project on our house since late May this year. My son is not on any medication.
The Doc said that the cough should ease after 3 weeks. It's been 3 weeks now and the cough is worse than before. What should I do? What should I ask the Doctor to check? Should I go to a specialist?

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,

Not to scare you, but there is a lot of the H1N1 flu going around, and in MANY cases, it is presenting more as cold symptoms. Viral infections increase lung inflammation, and add to that the dust from your construction project in addition to high pollen levels existing right now across the country, and you have the perfect scenario for what is happening to your son.

I do recommend having your doctor do a blood test for eosinophils, a marker of allergic response. Should that be the case, I'd then have him evaluated by an allergist to see if what is taking place is more than a simple response to a lot of airway irritants.

Hope this helps you.

Sincerely,

Marc

Asthma

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator

Expertise

I have worked directly with patients as well as caregivers for over 30 years. Have made presentations throughout Illinois educating school nurses as well as the teaching and coaching staff of public schools about asthma, and how they should respond to these students needs. Presented a public education program on asthma through the US Department of Public Health. Specialize in helping guide asthmatic patients to take control of their disease in order to live a near-normal, fully active life.

Experience

Practicing pharmacist for 34 years, specializing in asthma for past 7 years. Statewide education to nurses, teachers and athletic coaches regarding asthma. In addition, and closer to home. my wife and daughter both have asthma, and my son has exercise induced bronchospasm. I'm also on the advisory board of a medical education company, Emmi Solutions, and directly involved in the creation of public education programs for asthma, COPD and diabetes.

Organizations
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) / Sports Medicine Committee, American Thoracic Society (ATS). Chicago Asthma Consortium / Professional Development Committee, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago: Development Committee for AE-C prep class, and presenter.

Publications
AAAAI PowerPoint on the new guidelines for EIB (Exercise Induced Bronchospasm)

Education/Credentials
BScPharm, RPh, AE-C (NAECB Certified asthma educator), NIPCO Certified Respiratory Care Pharmacist

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.