Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child have any signs of mild to moderate difficulty breathing?
See significance of mild to moderate difficulty breathing if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your child have to stop to catch his or her breath while eating?
Yes Does your child have to use his or her abdominal muscles to breathe?
Yes Are your child's face, hands, or feet pale to slightly gray or mottled (but the tongue, gums, and lips remain pink)?
Yes Is your child drooling and cannot swallow?
Yes Does your child have a sore throat with a hoarse or muffled voice, or a feeling of swelling in his or her throat?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Is your child breathing more rapidly than normal?
Yes Does your child sometimes have to stop to catch his or her breath while eating?
Yes Does your child sometimes use his or her abdominal muscles to breathe?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: February 25, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
 | ||
| |