chest infection in asthmatic toddler

[libelulle]

I think I'm losing perspective slightly! My DD (2.9) is under a respiratory consultant for asthma and repeated chest infections.

Last week she got put on her umpteenth course of antibiotics. This morning her temperature has come back (tho only 37.9) and she looks miserable, breathing rate increased and noisy (wheeze well controlled by inhalers). Clearly the antibiotics she was on haven't done the trick.

Usually the doctors surgery are incredibly helpful and fit her in straightaway. Today the receptionist hemmed and hawed, said I'd rung too late (9.10am, just after DD had woken up!) and finally agreed to an appointment at 5pm.

Is this too late? If we'd been seen this morning then she could be on her third dose of a new antibiotic by then. I have no idea how fast these things can develop - in the past I've been spoilt by instant GP access! Should I be pushing for an appointment earlier in the day, or am I being over-demanding? Would be happier to be told the latter, to be honest. It's just so worrying watching her hacking away and looking so miserable.

[Sirzy]

If you think she is struggling I would go to a and e to get checked, otherwise wait til tonight.

Things can change so quickly with asthma and chest infections anyway I would just follow your instincts. Last week Ds (14 months) saw the gp at 10am and got anti biotcs for his chest infection and was still in a and e (then admitted) that night.

[itsatiggerday]

Agree, need to follow your instincts. Critical thing that needs immediate attention is if she's struggling to breathe and needs extra support - ie nebuliser / oral steroids / oxygen in extreme cases. If she's OK but just a bit wheezy you may be happy enough to wait till the appt.

BTW, how many courses of a/b has she been on? My GP said once we hit the 3rd round, she'd put DS on them permanently for the winter as coming on and off them all the time is worse in the long term for resistant bugs etc. The kids with chronic winter propensity to infections just go on a/b for 4-5 months and it's better for them long term. May be worth asking.

[libelulle]

Thanks everyone! It's hard sometimes to trust my instinct when, what with dd and DS who was v. prem, it feels like we virtually live in the surgery sometimes, and I always worry I'm just being paranoid.

I rang again as she was really breathless and they agreed to squeeze her in between patients. Doc said I was right to bring her in. Her chest sounds dreadful and so she's on a new antibiotic, borderline for paeds so we have review appt in 48 hours and instructions to go straight to a and e if she gets any worse in meantime.

Chest consultant (who is ace!) has mentioned both singulair and 'maintenance' antibiotics but we've been holding off so far this year as she was pretty good for the first half of the winter. But this is third course in 8 weeks so we probably need to bite the bullet. Did any of your DCs have side-effects from singular and/or antibiotics? That was what put me off starting them unless we really needed them.