I recently learned, my then 23 month old, son has been having mild asthma attacks. We recently move to the Carolinas from Florida and never had a problem in Florida. I have two children and both have had eczema (no more than three small spots each). My daughter is 4 has not had any asthma flare ups to date and her eczema is better since the move.

My son's first flare up in our mind was the first week of his first swimming lesson during the summer. At the end of the first week's lesson we notice a slight cold, stuffiness and labored breathing. We gave him Claritin and a stuffy nose medicine thinking it would clear things up and help him through the cold. By Monday morning, the labored breathing was worse and we called the doctor.

The doctor diagnosed him with pneumonia, but also said she thought he should be prescribed Singular to help prevent asthma. I was working during this appointment, but heard the news and immediately said I could not accept that information. Neither of us, as parents, have asthma and we never had this problem with my son until we moved. I believe the swimming lesson caused the pneumonia, but am still puzzled by a diagnosis of mild childhood asthma that requires a pill a day to prevent asthma.

I am left with a lot of questions. Do I put my son on this medicine everyday if I don't believe he has asthma? Should I do this, if it is only mild? Will he grow out of it? Will his body build up a tolerance to this medicine so that he needs it forever?

As a working mother concerned with the overuse of any medication and low tolerance for all medication. I have concerns.