ASTHMA ATTACK

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR ASTHMA ATTACK

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)

Severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, unable to speak or cry because of difficulty breathing, making grunting noises with each breath).
Your child passed out or has bluish lips/tongue.
Wheezing started suddenly after medicine, an allergic food or bee sting.

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

Your child looks or acts very sick.
Looks like he did when hospitalized before with asthma.
Difficulty breathing not resolved 20 minutes after neb or inhaler.
Peak flow rate lower than 50% of baseline level (personal best).
Peak flow rate 50-80% of baseline level after using neb or inhaler.
Wheezing (heard across the room) not resolved 20 minutes after using neb or inhaler.
Continuous (nonstop) coughing that keeps from playing or sleeping and not improved after using neb or inhaler.
Asthma medicine (neb or inhaler) is needed more frequently than every 4 hours.
Fever above 104°F (40°C).
Severe chest pain.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

You think your child needs to be seen.
Lots of yellow or green nasal discharge now with a fever.
Sinus pressure or pain.
Fever present for more than 3 days.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

You have other questions or concerns.
Missing more than 1 day of school/month for asthma.
Asthma limits exercise or sports.
Asthma attacks frequently awaken from sleep.
Uses more than 1 inhaler/month.
Mild wheezing persists for more than 5 days.
No asthma check-up in over 1 year.

Parent Care at Home If

Mild asthma attack and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

See Other Topics:

Wheezing (other than Asthma)

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