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Definition
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Child is having an asthma attack
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Don't use this guideline unless the child was previously diagnosed as having asthma, asthmatic bronchitis or reactive airway disease by a physician
Main Symptom
Causes (Triggers) of Asthma Attacks
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Viral respiratory infections
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Animal contact (especially cats)
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Tobacco smoke or menthol vapors
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Pollens
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Air pollution (e.g., barn, circus, wood stove, dirty basement)
Severity of an Asthma Attack
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Mild: no Shortness of Breath (SOB) at rest, mild SOB with walking, speaks normally in sentences, can lay down flat, wheezes only heard by stethoscope (GREEN Zone: Peak Flow Rate 80-100% of baseline level or personal best)
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Moderate: SOB at rest, speaks in phrases, prefers to sit (can't lay down flat), audible wheezing (YELLOW Zone: Peak Flow Rate 50-80% of baseline level)
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Severe: severe SOB at rest, speaks in single words (struggling to breathe), usually loud wheezing or sometimes minimal wheezing because of decreased air movement (RED Zone: Peak Flow Rate less than 50% of baseline level)
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If not, see these topics
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