Exclamation PointPlease call 911 immediately if you are having chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you think you have a medical emergency.

Acute Asthma Attack Treatment for Children

Call 911 if the child is:

If he does not have the above symptoms but is still complaining of trouble breathing or coughing, do the following:

1. Notify the Child’s Health Care Provider Immediately

 

2. Follow the Child’s Asthma Plan, if Possible

 

3. Give Quick-Relief Medicine

If the child has no asthma action plan but has an inhaler:

If the child doesn’t have an inhaler, use one from a first aid kit. If you are sure this is an asthma attack and the child has used quick-relief asthma medicine before (albuterol), you can borrow someone else’s.

 

Follow Up

 

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD on January 10, 2012