Wheezing: How to Care for Your Child

A "wheeze" is a high-pitched whistling sound that is sometimes heard when a child breathes out (exhales). It happens when the airways become narrow from tight muscles and a thick, swollen lining. Your child may have gotten inhaled medicine (breathing treatment), and you may have been instructed to give your child medicine at home.

Sometimes children with wheezing are also given a steroid medicine that stops the swelling in the airways. These medicines can be inhaled or swallowed.

Your child is doing well and is ready to be cared for at home.

• Let your child rest as needed.

• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids.

• Give your child medicines (inhaled or swallowed) as directed by your health care provider.

Your child:

• is breathing faster than usual

• is vomiting or has trouble eating or drinking

• gets a fever

Your child has trouble breathing. Signs you might see include:

• The skin between your child's ribs and neck pulls in tight during breathing.

• The nostrils flare (open wide) with each breath.

• Your child is breathing fast and is very tired, confused, or fussy.

Call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe, is too out of breath to walk or talk, or turns blue.

Does wheezing mean my child has asthma? Infants and children who develop wheezing may or may not have asthma. Many infants who wheeze during their first 3 years of life outgrow it later in childhood. Kids who have wheezing repeatedly may have asthma, especially if there is a family history of asthma or allergies.

Besides asthma, what else can make kids wheeze? Kids can wheeze for other reasons, including:

• viral respiratory infections 

• gastroesophageal reflux (GER)

• allergies

• inhaling (breathing in) an object or a chemical