Question
The child, who was 15 months old, suffered from bronchiolitis and had an overweight condition. Initially, oral medication was chosen for treatment, but at night, wheezing symptoms appeared and gradually worsened, leading to an emergency hospitalization for a week. The specific medication used is unclear, but it may have included Ventolin for nebulizer inhalation therapy. Since then, wheezing has been triggered with every cold. Now 5 years old, the child has a weaker immune system and is prone to catching colds. At the children’s hospital, the doctor suggested that three or more episodes of wheezing can be diagnosed as pediatric asthma. The child may have an allergic constitution, but allergens have not been tested yet. During wheezing after a cold, the child goes to the local hospital for injections of Yizuo Xin, Xixin Nao, and Chuan Ding, along with Ventolin nebulizer inhalation. Typically, three days of injection treatment can bring relief.
Answer
It can be diagnosed as asthma, with further checks including pulmonary function and allergen testing. Pulmonary function tests can provide immediate results, while allergen tests require blood draws and results are available a few days later, which do not affect treatment. Asthma requires oral Montelukast and inhaled corticosteroid therapy. After taking these medications, the child will no longer frequently suffer from colds, coughs, or wheezing as before. Asthma cannot be cured permanently, but as the child grows up, the condition will improve. If allergen testing is to be done, anti-allergic medications should not be taken for the first three days. It is estimated that you have not taken any. It is recommended to come before Monday morning for a special clinic day where a detailed diagnosis can be made.