Asthma attack symptoms
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Recognising and responding to an asthma attack’
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What asthma looks like
What asthma looks like
Asthma can be easily managed with the right treatment, but it can be life-threatening.
Recognise the symptoms and respond quickly.
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Signs of asthma
Signs of asthma
Asthma symptoms are caused by the narrowing of the airways.
Symptoms vary over time and from person to person.
Common symptoms are:
- breathlessness
- wheezing
- tight feeling in the chest
- continuing cough.
Symptoms often occur at night, early in the morning, during, or just after activity, or from exposure to triggers such as stress, dust, chemicals, colds and flu, pollen, or tobacco smoke.
Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ (opens in a new tab/window)
Assess asthma symptoms
Assess asthma symptoms
Assess whether an attack is mild, moderate, or severe.
Recognise and treat asthma as soon as possible, so that it can be brought under control.
![11217 [Mild-moderate-severe-asthma-symptoms.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Mild-moderate-severe-asthma-symptoms__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Signs of an asthma emergency
Signs of an asthma emergency
Look for these signs of a serious episode:
- the child’s reliever medication isn’t helping
- they’re finding it hard to breathe
- they’re breathing hard and fast
- they’re finding it hard to speak
- they’re sucking in around their ribs/throat
- they're looking pale or blue.
Source: Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ (opens in a new tab/window)
Use asthma action plans
Use asthma action plans
When responding to an asthma attack always follow a child or young person's asthma action plan.
An asthma action plan supports you to:
- know what medicines to administer and when
- know a child or young person’s possible triggers
- recognise early symptoms or flare-ups and what to do if they happen
- know how to manage an asthma attack
- know when to get emergency care.
A child or young person may be identified as having asthma but may not come with an asthma action plan.
Collect all the necessary information. Brief all staff about triggers, signs, and preventative measures to ensure the student is safe.
Useful resources
Useful resources
Breathing and asthma
Read time: 1 min
A fact sheet explaining how breathing may be effected and some simple steps to take to control breathing.
Publisher: Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ
Asthma emergency action plan for children 5 years of age and under.
A pamphlet with information on recognising mild, moderate, and severe asthma symptoms.
Publisher: Asthma + Respiratory Foundation, NZ
Download PDF
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