health

Cases of asthma vary in severity. Some people may have only mild
symptoms a few times per month, whereas others may have severe symptoms
every day. Asthma is has four levels, depending on how severe each
case is.

Mild intermittent A person with this type of asthma has daytime
symptoms less than twice per week and nighttime symptoms less than
twice per month. Attacks are brief and usually do not affect activities.
Intermittent means the symptoms come and go.

Mild persistent A person with this type of asthma has mild symptoms
more than twice per week, never more than once per day. Nighttime
symptoms occur more than two times a month.

Moderate persistent A person with this type of asthma has symptoms
every day and flare-ups more than twice per week. Nighttime symptoms
occur more than once per week. When symptoms do occur, they can last
for days and can make it hard for the sufferer to participate in certain
activities.

Severe persistent A person with this type of severe asthma has symptoms
throughout the day and night. The asthma makes it hard or impossible
for a person to participate in many physical activities.