What condition should be suspected in a child experiencing acute respiratory distress without fever?

In the scenario where a child is experiencing acute respiratory distress without fever, foreign-body airway obstruction is a condition that should be highly suspected. This is particularly because such obstruction can occur suddenly and result in significant difficulty breathing due to the blockage of the airway, which may not be accompanied by signs of infection such as fever.

Foreign-body airway obstruction is often seen when children accidentally inhale small objects, leading to immediate symptoms like coughing, wheezing, choking, or respiratory distress. This acute presentation is distinct because it can arise suddenly and without prior illness, which aligns with the symptom of acute respiratory distress in the absence of fever.

Other conditions like asthma attacks might also cause respiratory distress but could be associated with various factors, including previous history of wheezing or allergic triggers, and usually do not present acutely without some form of antecedent respiratory illness. Pneumonia typically presents with fever and other systemic symptoms. Allergic reactions may also cause respiratory distress, but these often come with swelling and other allergic signs. Thus, foreign-body airway obstruction stands out as the most immediate concern in this scenario.