When to call the doctor

Call immediately if:

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• You are having a lot of trouble breathing, or you suddenly are unable to speak in complete sentences.
• You are confused, or are slurring your speech, or feel like you are going to faint.
• You cannot be easily awakened by others or you feel very weak.
• You have blood in your sputum or develop a fever above 101 degrees or have shaking chills.

Call within six to eight hours if shortness of breath is mild to moderate or wheezing does not stop or decrease with inhaled bronchodilator treatments one hour apart.

Call within 24 hours if you notice one or more of the following severe respiratory symptoms:

• Change in color, thickness, odor, or amount of sputum that persists.
• Ankle swelling that lasts even after a night of sleeping with your feet up.
• You awaken short of breath more than once a night.
• Increased fatigue that lasts more than one day.