Asthma in Children

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if:

• Your child is still having Reference severe trouble breathing.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your child's symptoms do not get better after following his or her asthma action plan.
• Your child has new or worse trouble breathing.
• Your child's coughing and wheezing get worse.
• Your child coughs up dark brown or bloody mucus (sputum).
• Your child has a new or higher fever.

Call your doctor if:

• Your child needs to use quick-relief medicine on more than 2 days a week (unless it is just for exercise).
• Your child coughs more deeply or more often, especially if there is more mucus or a change in the color of the mucus.
• Your child has asthma and his or her PEF has been getting worse for 2 to 3 days.

If you think your child has asthma

If your child has not been diagnosed with asthma but has asthma symptoms, call your doctor and make an appointment for an evaluation.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your child's symptoms or condition without using medical treatment.

If you think your child has asthma, watchful waiting is not appropriate. See your doctor.

If your child has been getting treatment for 1 to 3 months and is not improving, ask your doctor whether the child needs to see a specialist (Reference allergist Opens New Window or Reference pulmonologist Opens New Window).

Watchful waiting may be appropriate if your child follows his or her Reference asthma action plan and stays within the Reference green zone. Monitor your child's symptoms, and continue to avoid Reference asthma triggers.

Who to see

Health professionals who can diagnose and treat asthma include:

• Reference Pediatricians Opens New Window.
• Reference Family medicine physicians Opens New Window.
• Reference Nurse practitioners Opens New Window.
• Reference Physician assistants Opens New Window.
• Reference Internists Opens New Window.

Your child may need to see a specialist (an Reference allergist Opens New Window or Reference pulmonologist Opens New Window) if he or she:

• Has Reference moderate persistent to severe persistent asthma.
• Has other medical conditions that make it hard to treat asthma.
• Needs more education or has difficulty following the asthma action plan.
• Is not meeting the goals of treatment after several months of therapy.
• Has had a life-threatening asthma attack.
• Needs Reference skin testing for allergies or may get Reference allergy shots Opens New Window.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.