When should i get worried about my 2 year old's reoccuring cough? there is asthma on our family.

Recurring cough: Winter cough is common at the age of two. It changes in quality and frequency through each ongoing illness. If a cough persists all year round, causes shortness of breath or reduces her play it merits evaluation. It is hard to diagnose true asthma at 2 years old, but your child is at increased risk due to your family history. Many children wheeze with colds and outgrow it. I would follow closely.

When…: It's associated with other lower respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath or fast shallow breathing. This may be indicative of reactive airways.

Now: You are correct to consider asthma (reactive airway disease). Information that your doctor may want: describe the cough. When does it occur? Night cough is common. Any wheezing? Any triggers? Cold weather, exercise, common cold, smoke, etc.? Have you used bronchodilators like albuterol in the past? If so, what was the response? How long does a treatment last? How many treatments per day?

Now!: There are multiple causes for a persistent or chronic cough in children.Asthma is one of them.Postnasal drip caused by cold or a sinus infection can produce chronic cough.In some children, the cause is reflux (stomach acid and other fluid moving back up the throat. This may occur without heartburn. Foreign bodies can be accidentally inhaled at any age causing recurrent cough.