Which asthma category best describes daytime symptoms more than 2 days per week and nighttime symptoms more than 2 nights per month?

• A. Mild persistent
• B. Intermittent
• C. Moderate persistent
• D. Severe persistent

Answer: (A)

Asthma severity is defined by how often symptoms occur during the day and how often they wake you at night. Intermittent asthma has daytime symptoms no more than twice weekly and nighttime awakenings no more than twice a month. If daytime symptoms occur more than twice weekly but not daily, and nighttime awakenings occur more than twice a month but not weekly, the category is mild persistent. The described pattern—daytime symptoms more than 2 days per week but not daily, with nighttime awakenings more than 2 nights per month but not many per week—fits this profile. If daytime symptoms were daily or nighttime awakenings were weekly or more, it would be pushed toward moderate or severe persistent. So this scenario best describes mild persistent asthma.