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    Asthma in Children: Knowing How Bad an Attack Is

    Asthma in Children: Knowing How Bad an Attack Is



    Topic Overview

    It can be difficult to know whether your child is having a mild, moderate, or severe Reference asthma attack Opens New Window. The following chart may help you. Talk with a doctor if you are unable to tell how severe your child's symptoms are.

    Gauging the severity of your child's asthma attack
    Factor Mild attack Moderate attack Severe attack

    Reference Peak expiratory flow Opens New Window

    80% to 100% of personal best

    50% to 79% of personal best

    Less than 50% of personal best

    Breathing

    Normal or slightly faster

    Faster than normal

    Rapid, and the child may appear preoccupied with breathing; may want to sit upright to help breathing

    Breath

    Mild or no shortness of breath; can speak in full sentences

    Short of breath; can speak in short phrases or parts of sentences

    Very short of breath; speaks in single words or short phrases

    Chest

    Does not or slightly uses chest muscles to breathe

    Uses chest and neck muscles to breathe. The skin between, under, and above the ribs collapses inward with each breath.

    Uses chest and neck muscles to breathe and may open nostrils wide; may clutch at the chest

    Skin

    Normal skin color

    Pale skin color

    Very pale or bluish skin color; may sweat more than normal

    Wheezing

    Wheezes while breathing out

    Wheezes while breathing in and out

    Does not wheeze while breathing. This indicates little or no air in the airways.

    Alertness

    Normally alert

    Normally alert

    Not as alert as usual and may appear anxious



    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: Reference March 17, 2011
    Medical Review: Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
    Reference Lora J. Stewart, MD, MPH - Allergy and Immunology, Pediatrics


    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.


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