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KidsCare Online

Asthma Attack

Should I Call?

	Call 911 NOW (your child may need an ambulance) IF: 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 has any ONE of the following: 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 of personal best--that is--the RED Zone). Peak flow rate 50-80% of baseline level after using neb or inhaler (YELLOW Zone). 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. Action: If you are unable to reach your doctor - go to a nearby KidsCare clinic or to a local hospital Emergency Department. Use our Facility Search to find an urgent care clinic near you.
	Call Your Doctor WITHIN 24 HOURS (during regular daytime office hours) IF: You think your child needs to be seen. Fever present for more than 3 days. Sinus pain (not just congestion).
	Call Your Doctor DURING WEEKDAY OFFICE HOURS IF: You have other questions or concerns. Don't have written asthma action plan. 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 over 5 days. No asthma check-up in over 1 year.
	Provide Care at Home to children for: Mild asthma attack and you don't think your child needs to be seen.