DD is ill again - advice please.

[CharCharGabor]

DSD has stayed for the weekend, she has a bad cold and very chesty cough. DD is just starting to get a runny nose and coughing a bit, I'm expecting it to get worse in the coming days. I'm a bit worried as I know she could get croup etc. What signs should I look for that it's becoming croupy or a chest infection? And how can I ease her if she gets really uncomfortable? TIA.

[CharCharGabor]

She's 15 months btw

[micku5]

Does she suffer with croup or chest infections often?

[CharCharGabor]

No she's never had croup or a chest infection. I just worry because I know their respiratory tubes are smaller and therefore they can be affected more than older children. The cough is really awful sounding in DSD, who is 4, so God knows what it will sound like in DD. She's only just getting over a cough type virus that she's had recently, does that make her more prone to more?

[dinny]

ds had that last week and dd has just started hacking away today - a really nasty one, isn't it?

isn't chest infection a persistent cough and high temp? ds's lasted about 4 days badly and has only just stopped totally yesterday ( a week)

croup is like barking cough at night....

she may not get it as badly as you think, sometimes little ones seem to handle them better

[dinny]

less prone, she may have already had the virus

[micku5]

dd2 unfortunately has had numerous chest infections and breathing related problems over the past 18 months but that is because she has partial immune deficiency and so any cold she gets quickly turns to a chest infection or rather in her case pnuemonia.

My gp has told me in the past that if they have snotty noses and the mucus is greenish in colour that it is usually a sign that it's a chest infection. If you can, try not to give her any milk or yogurts as that tends to thicken the mucus and it sit on their chest... water and other fluids helps to dilute it and makes it easier for them to cough up or past through the nappy.

With dd2, she gets more and more wheezier and has to take her ventolin every 4-6 hours. I also use a menthol rub on her chest and back when she is sleeping which does help her breathe easier.

[CharCharGabor]

It is horrible, poor DSD can't even laugh without coughing and her little nose is raw. I would say it's probably not the same virus as DD's cough was quite dry and only at night. Will listen out for any symptoms, hopefully she won't get it that badly. She hasn't been sleeping well atm anyway so this will be a disaster! Hope your two are better soon

[CharCharGabor]

Thanks micku5, she doesn't drink much cow's milk or eat yoghurt so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Will look out for any symptoms and hope it passes easily.