Lots of children have coughs at this time of year caused by viruses or hay fever. But if their cough persists, there's a chance it could be sparked by the most common long-term condition among children - asthma.
On World Asthma Day (May 2), Asthma + Lung UK (A+LUK) points out that around 1.1 million children and young people in the UK are currently being treated for asthma - that's around two children in every classroom. "Children can cough for a variety of reasons, so it's important to look at the whole picture," stresses Deborah Waddell, a respiratory specialist nurse at A+LUK.
"All children will have a cough at some point in their lives when they get a cold or virus, particularly when they first start mixing with other children at nursery or school. Talking to a doctor or nurse about the nature of the cough - such as whether it's wet or dry, when it happens, or what makes it worse or better - can help provide important clues as to why they may be coughing. However, children with asthma are likely to have some or all of the characteristic features of asthma."
