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Warning-sign checks

Blockage of upper airway: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    The emergency plan should also be shared with family members, caregivers, or school staff when appropriate.

    Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, inability to speak or cough, blue or gray coloring, confusion, collapse, or suspected anaphylaxis with airway symptoms.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    New fever, chest pain, ongoing cough, trouble swallowing, or breathing symptoms should be reported promptly.

    Seek urgent medical assessment for worsening noisy breathing, increasing trouble swallowing, repeated choking, or new swelling of the throat.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up needs vary based on the cause and treatment.

    After a choking event, a clinician may check for a remaining object, airway injury, or material that entered the lungs.

    After anaphylaxis, routine follow-up may include reviewing possible triggers, learning when and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector, and considering evaluation by an allergy specialist.

    For sleep-related obstruction, follow-up may assess snoring, daytime sleepiness, treatment comfort, and whether breathing improves during sleep.

    Children with enlarged tonsils or adenoids may need monitoring of sleep, behavior, growth, and school performance.

The article also says

People treated for an infection should follow the care plan and attend recommended reassessment.

Persistent hoarseness, noisy breathing, neck swelling, trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms that keep returning deserve medical review.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Blockage of upper airway. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.