Acute exacerbations tend to be brief but can range from mild to severe. Daily medication is not needed. If the patient needs to use rescue medication more than twice a week, treat at the mild persistent level.
Acute exacerbations interfere with daily activities.
Daily anti-inflammatory treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid or inhaled cromolyn. Leukotriene modifiers may be considered depending on age. If the patient needs to use rescue medication daily, treat at the moderate persistent level. Rescue medication used daily. Acute exacerbations occur two or more times per week and may last for days.