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In children, wheezing is not necessarily related to allergy. Without being asthmatic, a child may suffer from asthmatiform dyspnea, especially in cases of respiratory infection. It may be difficult to decide whether the patient has benign "wheezy bronchitis" or is exhibiting the first symptoms of asthma. It appears that viral infections may play a significant role in the development of respiratory allergy in atopic subjects.

Drug therapy of asthma chiefly relies on beta 2-mimetics, corticosteroids, theophyllines and disodium cromoglycate. In recent years, experience has improved our knowledge of these drug therapies, but it is worth recalling some useful concepts: - Sympathicomimetic bronchodilators are not as dangerous as was previously thought. There is now less reluctance to increase dosage when their efficacy becomes inadequate. - Inhaled corticosteroids have definitely improved many chronic asthmatics. It is known that these drugs must be administered in fairly high doses, at any rate in the initial stages of treatment. - Theophyllines are difficult to use in the acute stage of asthma. On the other hand, the delayed action tablets allow the physician to attain and maintain, with precautions, adequate serum levels. - The new inhalation forms and devices developed for some drugs have improved their therapeutic action and are worth prescribing for many patients. The treatment of the various types of asthma is described. The treatment of various forms of allergic rhinitis is discussed with respect to the indications for DSCG, inhaled steroids, antihistamines and immunotherapy.