What is the difference between Asthma and VIRAL-INDUCED WHEEZE [VIW]?
VIRAL-INDUCED WHEEZE [VIW] – 
If you only wheeze with a virus or cold but are well in between.
ASTHMA – When you wheeze with triggers like dust, pollen, furry animals, and exercise as well as with a virus or cold.
What is the treatment?
Most children will only get one or two episodes of VIW. Usually VIW treatment will be a SALBUTAMOL (blue) inhaler and spacer; please see your wheeze plan.

Asthma treatment is usually a brown preventer inhaler, which needs to be taken daily, and a blue reliever inhaler to be taken when unwell; please see your wheeze plan.

For some children who get repeated episodes of VIW, they may benefit from a drug called MONTELUKAST. This works by helping decrease inflammation in the airways. It needs to be given at the very beginning of the cold symptoms, once a day for 7 days. In more severe VIW, it may be given daily.
Is my asthma well controlled?
It is recommended that you complete the Asthma Control Test (ACT) which can be found on the Asthma + Lung UK website. 
Tick the triggers for your asthma below:

My Asthma/Wheeze Plan 	
Name:		
DoB:		
NHS Number:		
My Carer:	     	
GP Name:	 	
GP Telephone:	 	
Date:		

		

I’m a plastic tube that your inhaler fits into to help the medicine get to your lungs

What is a preventer inhaler?
I’m usually brown. Take me EVERY DAY with your super spacer as your asthma nurse prescribed EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL WELL.

A spacer helps the medicine to travel to your lungs

What is a reliever inhaler?
I’m usually blue – only take me with your super spacer as it says on your plan. If you often need me more than 3 times a week then book an ASTHMA REVIEW.

Please use us with a spacer. 

What to do next?
If you have attended the EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT following an episode of ASTHMA or VIRAL-INDUCED WHEEZE you should make an appointment to see your GP within 2 working days for a review (NICE quality standard for asthma 2013).

.

1		

I am well
I have no cough/wheeze
I am doing normal activities	I need to take my normal medication of:
Preventer:  
I take __  puffs every morning and evening.

Reliever: salbutamol blue I take  puffs as needed and before exercise.
Other Therapy:  		
2		
I am unwell
I am getting a cold
I am coughing/wheezing day and/or night
My blue inhaler is working via a spacer with/without a mask
	I need to take my normal medication of:
Preventer: 
I take  puffs every morning and evening.

Reliever: 
Give blue inhaler up to 6 puffs as needed. If you need every 4 hours Seek medical review.
Other Therapy: 		
3	
	
My coughing/wheezing is getting worse, especially at night.
My blue inhaler is not lasting four hours and not working within 15 minutes.	I need to take my medication as in step 2 
and see my GP urgently or come to the EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED)/or call 111.  If I get worse, I may also need to increase my reliever medication to: 10 puffs 4 hourly while waiting for a medical review.	
4	
	
I am very unwell
My blue inhaler is not helping at all. I am using my tummy or neck muscles to breathe
My breathing rate is faster than normal
I am too breathless to talk or eat.	This is a medical emergency 
Call 999 or come to the EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) urgently.
I need to take my medication as in Step 2 and 3 and may need to repeat a further 10 puffs of blue inhaler within 10 minutes while waiting to be seen.