Your Child's Asthma: How Severe Is It?

Asthma severity

The 4 asthma severity levels are:

• Intermittent asthma. Children with symptoms no more than 2 times a week. They don't have problems in between flare-ups. And they only have short flare-ups lasting a few hours to a few days. Nighttime symptoms happen less than 2 times a month.

• Mild persistent asthma. Children with symptoms more than 2 times a week, but not daily. They may have activity levels affected by the flare-ups. Nighttime symptoms happen greater than 2 times a month, but no more than once a week.

• Moderate persistent asthma. Children with symptoms every day. They use their rescue medicine every day. They may have activity levels affected by the flare-ups. Nighttime symptoms happen more often than 1 time a week.

• Severe persistent asthma. Children with symptoms multiple times per day. They have a decrease in their physical activity, and often have flare-ups. Nighttime symptoms happen often.