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InstaCare Online

Asthma Attack

Should I Call?

	Call 911 NOW (you may need an ambulance) IF: Severe difficulty breathing (e.g., struggling for each breath, unable to speak, or speaking in single words) Bluish lips, tongue or face Wheezing started suddenly after medicine, an allergic food or bee sting Passed out (fainted)
	Call Your Doctor NOW (night or day) IF: You feel weak or very sick Feel like you did when hospitalized before with asthma Difficulty breathing not gone within 20 minutes after neb or inhaler Peak flow rate less 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 gone within 20 minutes after using neb or inhaler Continuous (nonstop) coughing that prevents work or sleep and does not improve after using neb or inhaler Asthma medicine (neb or inhaler) is needed more frequently than every 4 hours Fever of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher Fever of 100.5 F (38.1 C) or higher and you: Are over 60 years of age Have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system (e.g., HIV positive, cancer chemotherapy, chronic steroid treatment, splenectomy) Are bedridden (e.g., nursing home patient, stroke, chronic illness, recovering from surgery ) Severe wheezing or coughing and you don't have neb or inhaler available (e.g., ran-out, lost) Action: If you are unable to reach your doctor - go to a nearby Instacare clinic or to a local hospital Emergency Department. Use our Facility Search, to find the Instacare clinic nearest you.
	Call Your Doctor WITHIN 24 HOURS (between 9 am and 4 pm) IF: You think you need to be seen Nasal discharge present longer than 10 days AND sinus pressure or pain (around cheekbone or eye) Fever present longer than 3 days You have any of the following asthma risk factors: Prior tube in your windpipe for asthma Hospitalized this past year for asthma Need for frequent steroid (e.g., prednisone) bursts Recently tapered or stopped using steroids
	Call Your Doctor DURING WEEKDAY OFFICE HOURS IF: You have other questions or concerns Missing more than 1 day of work or school per month for asthma Asthma limits exercise or sports Asthma attacks frequently awaken from sleep Uses more than 1 inhaler/month Mild wheezing persists longer than 5 days No asthma check-up in over 1 year
	Self Care at Home IF: Mild asthma attack and you don't think you need to be seen