Conclusion
Acute asthma exacerbations are common.
Causes are varied, ranging from viral infections
to people who may be “exacerbationprone
phenotypes”. Guidelines advise a
thorough assessment followed by standard
treatment with oxygen where necessary,
and inhaled bronchodilators via pMDI and
spacer, or oxygen-driven nebuliser in more
severe episodes. Several factors, both medical
and psychosocial, influence whether a
patient is admitted to hospital. Those who
are managed in primary care should be
reviewed on the final day of the OCS course
to optimise management, reinforce selfmanagement
strategies and agree a written
asthma action plan. NT