Asthma Tutorial

Question 1

What causes wheezing?

Answer 1

Wheezing is caused by:

• narrowed airways
• floppy airways(increased airway wall compliance+decreased airway wall support)

Question 2

How many children are affected by wheezing commonly?

Answer 2

1 in 3 children will experience wheezing in the first 3 years of life

Question 3

Name the respiratory viral infection organisms that cause acute wheezes in children?

Answer 3

1. Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)
2. Human metapneumovirus(HMPV)
3. Influenza virus
4. Human rhinovirus (RV)

Question 4

What are the commonest causes of recurrent wheezing in children?

Answer 4

1. Asthma
2. Post viral wheeze
3. Cystic fibrosis
4. Gastro-oesophageal reflux
5. TB( lymph nodes obstructing airway)
6. Cardiac failure
7. Congenital lung abnormality

Question 5

What is the definition of asthma?

Answer 5

A heterogenous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation
-usually with a history of respiratory symptoms, such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough that vary over time and in intensity

Question 6

What is the clinical definition of asthma?

Answer 6

-recurrent episodes of wheezing(>3 after 1 year of age) with or without a cough that responds to a bronchodilator