Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED for wheezing. This is when you hear a whistling sound when your child breathes. It happens when the airways are swollen or narrowed.
Many things can cause wheezing. Examples include:
●Asthma
●Viruses that cause colds or the flu
●Allergies, smoke, or other irritants
●Exercise
The doctor thinks your child is getting enough air and oxygen into their lungs. But you need to follow up with your child's regular doctor to figure out what is causing their wheezing, make sure the wheezing is improving, and discuss ways to prevent wheezing in the future.
You might be waiting on your child's test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.
●Other care depends on the cause of your child's wheezing. Some general tips include:
•Give your child all their medicines as instructed. Make sure you understand how to use your child's inhalers or "nebulizers," if they have these. A nebulizer is a machine that lets you breathe in the medicine as a mist. If your child was given or prescribed an inhaler, they will probably need to use it with a spacer. Ask their doctor about a spacer if you do not have one.
•Help your child avoid things that make their wheezing worse. It's especially important to avoid smoking around your child and places where other people are smoking.
•Use saline nose drops or spray to relieve stuffiness. For babies, you can use a bulb or other suction device to remove mucus from their nose.
•Use a cool mist humidifier, if the doctor suggested to. This might help if your child has an upper respiratory infection, like a cold. Clean the humidifier often to avoid mold.
•If your child's wheezing was caused by an allergic reaction, avoid whatever they are allergic to. You might also get medicine to use if your child has another reaction in the future.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•Your child stops breathing.
•Your child is having so much trouble breathing they can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.
•Your child's skin and muscles around their ribs are pulling in with each breath (called "retractions").
•Your child's lips, gums, or fingernails turn gray or blue.
•Your child is very drowsy or not responding normally.
•Your child is getting tired from working so hard to breathe.
•Your child has hives or a widespread, itchy skin rash along with trouble breathing.
•Your child's lips or tongue are swollen.
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child has trouble breathing when they lie down or sit still.
•Your child's nostrils flare (get bigger) when they take a breath.
•Your child's breathing is not getting better even after using medicine to help them breathe.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if your child:
●Has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Feels weak or more short of breath than usual when doing their normal activities
●Has new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Asthma in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough, runny nose, and colds (The Basics)
Patient education: Flu (The Basics)
Patient education: Bronchiolitis and RSV in babies and children (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a nebulizer (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma symptoms and diagnosis in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: The common cold in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Influenza symptoms and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Bronchiolitis and RSV in infants and children (Beyond the Basics)
