My 4 year old son has been coughing persistantly for 3 weeks now. The dr has diagnosed asthma as he has had some minor asthma attacks since the cough starting however the cough is not easing off. It is a very chesty cough and I am worried it could lead to pnumonia or somthing like that. He was hospitalised back in march due to a severe lung infection, could it be related?
Hi, Cough persisting for 3 weeks needs evaluation for the cause. Common causes include asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and pertussis, depending on local epidemiology in your area. I am not sure how asthma was diagnosed. In asthma, usually there will be similar illness in siblings/parents/close relatives, the cough will be more towards night/early morning, and will have Chat Doctor.  If asthma, we expect rapid response to inhaled medications and steroids. If not responding even after 3 weeks, kindly review with your doctor, as we have to upgrade treatment or reconsider the diagnosis. In such cases, I usually order for a routine blood test, ESR, chest x-ray and a Manitou test for TB. Further decision will depend on this. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.