Home Emergency Book Vol 1 | Page 111

114 FAMILY ILLNESS

Wheezing

For children under 12, see p. 112 A whistling or rasping sound on exhaling occurs when the air passages become narrowed. The most common causes are inflammation due to infection, asthma, or inhaled dust. In rare cases, a narrowing of the airways may be due to a tumor. If you have persistent wheezing, you should see your doctor.
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW You could be having an asthma attack.
• If you have a reliever inhaler, use it now.
• Stay calm and sit in a comfortable position.
START
Has the wheezing come on suddenly within the past few hours or gradually over days or weeks?
Sudden onset
Do you have either of the following?
Frothy pink or white sputum
Waking at night feeling breathless
Are you short of breath?
Short of breath
Not short of breath
Gradual onset
Neither
ACTION
Do you have a fever – a temperature of 100.4 ° F( 38 ° C) or above?
Fever
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW There is a possibility of fluid on the lungs caused by heart failure.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR
WITHIN 24 HOURS You may be having a mild asthma attack.
• Use a reliever drug if you have one.
• Try to avoid polluted or smoky atmospheres.
ACTION
No fever
ACTION
Do you cough up sputum?
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR Your symptoms may be caused by chronic bronchitis or lung damage from smoking.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR
WITHIN 24 HOURS You may have acute bronchitis.
• Take acetaminophen to reduce your fever.
• If you smoke, stop.
Most days
Seldom or never
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR
WITHIN 24 HOURS if you cannot identify a possible cause for your wheezing from this chart.