Preschool wheeze

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that you can usually hear when someone breathes out. It can be heard from the chest and is caused by the airways narrowing.  

Preschool wheeze is when children under the age of five wheeze. It is very common and 1 in 3 children will have an episode of wheezing by the time they are three years old.    

Children under the age of five wheeze more easily than older children and adults because their airways are smaller.

Wheezing in preschool children is usually caused by colds and viruses, like bronchiolitis. Wheeze can also be caused by:  

• hay fever 
• acid reflux
• cigarette smoke. 

It’s very common for young children to wheeze when they have a cold or virus. This is usually diagnosed as viral wheeze.

We know from parents that it can be scary to see your child wheezing or struggling for breath. A viral wheeze is usually nothing to worry about, as long as your child seems well in general. But if they are unwell or breathless with the wheeze, or you are at all worried, see your GP as soon as possible or call 111. Coughing and wheezing should get better within two weeks of getting ill.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have created a viral wheeze action plan which can help you to look after your child’s viral wheeze.  

Your child’s GP or nurse will usually listen to their chest using a stethoscope to listen for wheezing sounds.

Your child may be diagnosed with a viral wheeze if they are under five years old and are wheezing alongside a viral infection.  

If your child is wheezing outside of having a viral infection, they may need further tests to find out the cause of the wheeze. This is known as recurrent episodes of wheezing.

We know from parents that it can be confusing when your child is diagnosed with a wheeze. It’s important to know that if your child is diagnosed with a wheeze, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have asthma or will go on to have asthma. 

Preschool wheeze may be treated with some of the same medicines as asthma. However, this does not mean your child has been diagnosed with asthma. Your child’s treatment will be based on their current symptoms.

Your child may be prescribed:  

• a reliever inhaler to treat sudden symptoms of wheeze  
• a preventer inhaler to help dampen down the inflammation in your child’s lungs and prevent the symptoms of wheeze.

They may be prescribed one or both of these medicines. They are more likely to be prescribed a preventer inhaler if they wheeze in between colds and viruses. 
 

Understand your child’s symptoms

Alongside any prescribed treatment, like inhalers, you can help your child by:

• offering them smaller but more frequent feeds if they aren’t feeding well
• keeping them well-hydrated
• giving them paracetamol if they have a temperature (38 degrees Celsius or higher)
• trying to identify any triggers that might set off your child’s wheeze.

As a parent, you’ll know if there’s something wrong with your child. Trust your instincts and call their GP or 111 if you think your child needs to be seen.

Help your child to use their inhaler

If your child has been prescribed an inhaler, they should use it with a spacer. We have more information on how to help your child use their inhaler, and how to help your baby or toddler use their inhaler.

It can be difficult to give an inhaler to a preschooler. Our helpline can also give you advice and support.

We also have information on how to look after inhalers and spacers.

Keep your child away from smoke

Where possible, keep your child away from second-hand smoke. This is because it can cause wheezing in children. If you smoke, the best thing you can do for your health and your child’s health is to quit. We have more information on how to stop smoking.

Find out what makes your child’s wheeze worse

Your child’s wheeze might be triggered by certain things like being very active, stress, pets, dust, pollution and pollen. Smoke from candles or cleaning sprays can also cause wheezing. It’s helpful if you can keep a record of when symptoms seem to get better or worse, and whether the inhalers your child has been given help. 
 

Join our parent and carer support network. It’s a free support network for parents and carers of children with any lung condition or problems. The events are held online on Zoom every month. Each meeting has a different topic and is organised by healthcare professionals.  

If you are worried that your child might have asthma, we have more information for parents about getting your child diagnosed.