The following are features of severe asthma:
- Previous history of severe acute asthma indicates that any further attack should be regarded as severe.
- Lack of response to bronchodilator therapy
- Inability to speak or cry or feed due to severe respiratory distress
- Cyanosis
- Oxygen saturation below 90%
A silent chest when examined with a stethoscope or peak expiratory flow rate below 60% indicates severe asthma.