Allergic Reaction: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have wheezing or difficulty breathing?

See significance of wheezing or difficulty breathing if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Is new mild difficulty breathing getting worse?

Yes

Did wheezing begin after you took a medicine?

Yes

Do you feel short of breath, even when you are resting, but you can still speak in short sentences?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have mild wheezing, even at rest, but you do not feel short of breath and can still speak in complete sentences?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had mild shortness of breath for the past 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had ongoing (chronic) mild breathing problems that have slowly gotten worse over the past 24 hours?

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.

Last updated:	July 11, 2007
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer