My son has a chronic cough and we have been told he has reactive airways. how can we be sure it is not something else?

Time will tell: Rad is a simple label for the presence of wheezing in a kid from one of several possible causes.Since a good 70% will do it off & on for a few seasons & quit by the age of 5, it is hard to use a long term label like asthma.Various viruses & other agents will trigger wheezing occasionally. If this eventually turns out to be something else, you will still be treated the same.

Multiple causes: Multiple causes are definitely possible. If there is reflux and aspiration into the lung, this may cause or contribute to reactivity of the airway. Infections, cold air, exercise and allergen exposure may also trigger reactivity of the airway. Your doctor may determine that additional testing or treatment is necessary. A TB test may be performed at your physician's office to rule out TB infection.