In assessing a child with chronic cough, which symptom could indicate asthma?

The presence of symptoms that worsen with exposure to cold air is a classic indicator of asthma in children. Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can be triggered by various environmental factors, including cold air. When a child with asthma is exposed to cold air, the airways can react with bronchoconstriction, leading to increased coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

This symptom aligns with the common patterns seen in asthma patients, where breathing in cold air can cause a reflexive tightening of the muscles around the airways, exacerbating symptoms. In contrast, other options such as persistent fever and dry mouth are more indicative of different medical issues. Persistent fever often suggests an infection rather than asthma, while dry mouth may be related to medication side effects or other health concerns not specifically tied to asthma.

Relief with warm liquids can provide temporary comfort, especially in cases of bronchial irritation or slight inflammation, but it does not specifically indicate asthma in the same way that worsening symptoms in cold air do. Therefore, the connection between worsening cough with cold air is a notable and recognized symptom of asthma in children.