Symptoms
The acute attack of asthma is accompanied with slight fever and acute catarrhal symptoms. Later the typical asthmatic symptoms appear in which there is a constriction of the bronchi due to spasms of the unstriped muscular fibers. There is hyperemia in the mucous membrane and a slight exudate. Usually the tonsils are enlarged and there are adenoid growths. There is more or less severe dyspnea, moderate cyanosis and, in severe cases, prostration. The peculiarity in respiration consists in a short inhalation with slow, labored exhalation. Dyspnea may be so severe that it is impossible for the child to breathe lying down. There is an almost constant dry teasing cough. Many infants suffering from asthma are inclined to be rachitic.