Is this your child's symptom?
- Breathing sound that is high-pitched and tight
- A purring or whistling sound
- You can hear it best when your child is breathing out
- Use this guide only if your child has not been diagnosed with asthma
Causes of Wheezing
- Bronchiolitis. This is the main cause in the first 2 years of life. Bronchiolitis peaks at 6-12 months. This is a viral infection (usually RSV) of the small airways. These small airways are called bronchioles.
- Asthma. This is the main cause after age 2. The first attack of asthma can be hard to diagnose. Asthma is defined as attacks of wheezing that recur.
- Airway Foreign Object (Serious). Suspect this when there is a sudden onset of coughing, choking and wheezing. A clue is wheezing heard only on one side. Common examples of inhaled objects are peanuts and seeds. Peak age is 1 to 4 years.
- Nasal Sounds. When the nose is congested, it can produce some whistling sounds. This can happen during a cold or with nasal allergies. Unlike wheezing, the breathing is not tight. Also, nasal rinses with saline will make the sound go away.
When to Call for Wheezing (Other Than Asthma)
| This is a placeholder and won't appear on the live site. | This is a placeholder and won't appear on the live site. | This is a placeholder and won't appear on the live site. |