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Severe Difficulty Breathing in Children

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A child who is having severe difficulty breathing:

  • Cannot eat or talk because he or she is breathing so hard.
  • Has flared nostrils. Also, the child's belly will move in and out with each breath.
  • Seems to be tiring out.
  • Seems very sleepy or confused.

Call 911 or emergency services if these signs are present.

Is it an emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.

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Northern HealthBritish Columbia College of Family PhysiciansProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouver Coastal HealthBritish Columbia Medical Association: Doctors of BCIsland HealthCollege of Pharmacists of British ColumbiaCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of British ColumbiaFraser Health AuthorityCollege of Dietitians of British ColumbiaInterior HealthCollege of Dental Surgeons of British ColumbiaBC Centre for Disease Control