think my dd might have croup - what should I do?

[eltompo]

She's 4...she is burning hot, off her food (though she will drink juice), cranky, and has a hacking deep cough which seems to be causing her pain.

She's wet he bed the last 2 nights and her symptoms are worse at night - she's waking up very upset, very hot with this awful coughing

None of my dc have had anything like this before so I'm not sure wha I should do - I think I'll try the steamy bathroom shortly to see if that soothes her?

Should I be taking her to A and E today or would they send me away? She's worse today than yesterday

I had her in my bed all night as I was so worried about her, so I'm exhausted and not thinking very logically, please help!

[freebster]

Can you phone your out of hours GP for advice? Done this with our DD before and they usually want to see her to check her over. I don't feel like I'm wasting anyone's time then? She might just have a horrid virus, or may need antibiotics and steroids, best to get her checked. Hope this helps?

[PavlovtheCat]

yes call out of hours gp, that way if she does need hospital for a burst of steroid to reduce swelling they will call ward direct for you.

And read www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Croup/Pages/Introduction.aspx this for signs/symptoms, how to help.

DD had this at 2, she went from being quite unwell but ok (saw gp) to being quite unwell and needing to go into hospital relatively quickly, but she also improved very quickly too.

You most important thing to do is keep her cool but not cold, and keep the air humid, so go into the bathroom, shut the door, turn on the shower as hot as as you can for her to breathe in the steam (not to have a shower though!). Also put some little bowls on top of radiators.

Sometimes people find driving with the window open lust a little, or a walk in fresh cool air can help too.

Keep an eye out for her ribcage or neck pulling inwards when she breathes. If this happens or is happening, just go to hospital as the GP will send you anyway.

However, if you are too concerned to wait for GP to call you, then A&E will not turn you away, so do not feel embarrassed or silly by going if you are worried. The least that will happen is that it is just a nasty bug that needs rest and you will be reassured, and if it is croup or a horrid bug that needs ABs she will get this straight away.

I hope she feels better soon, it is horrible to see our little ones so poorly.

[PavlovtheCat]

sorry link did not work

[eltompo]

thank you both

she's perked up a bit now - I gave her ibuprofen and some cough medicine about 40 mins ago - her cough is still bad but she's not as sorry for herself! her temp is down but she's so pale and dark-eyedhe out of hours

she hasn't asked for any food and doesn't want anything offered which is unheard of

she seems thirsty though

I will phone the out of hours number

I don't really care if I am the pain in he arse mother, I'll do whatever I need to; I've been reading other threads and it's errible that dooctors can make anxious parents feel guilty or stupid

thanks again

[freebster]

No problem. Hope you get her sorted. Always a worry especially over the weekend when the dr's are shut, but in my experience out of hours are really helpful and won't take any risks where children are involved. Definately do the steamy shower, it helps alot.

[PavlovtheCat]

eltempo oh i am glad she is feeling better, i hope she continues to improve. She will be off her food for a while if feeling poorly and that is ok if she she is drinking liquids.

I was advised not to give any medication that might have sedative properties in, as if it is croup they need to stay alert to help breathe. It is not likely a problem at the moment but might be worth checking the cough medicine and not give it at night if it does, until she is through the worst, maybe ask GP when you talk to him/her. I had given DD medised (it was fine for 2yos at the time) as I wanted to help her sleep and her cough was keeping her awake. The GP said to stop as it made her drowsy. I felt very bad!

I took DS to out of hours GP when he was 11 weeks old and had a temp that refused to go below 38.6 even with medicine, and was going up as high as 41. I went to the surgery on their advice at 11pm, and the fresh air helped and the guy told me I had wasted his and my time as there was nothing wrong with him other than a cold!

He also told me to wipe him down with a cold flannel to reduce his temp . I left there feeling like a terrible neurotic mother. My own GP on the other hand, told me to bring him in any time he was unwell, as if there was nothing wrong with him, she would at least get to cuddle a baby and brighten her day. She told me never to take a chance. So that is what I remember when I am being 'neurotic'.

[eltompo]

exactly Pavlov - it's sad to think that some parents won't 'trouble' their doctor with their worries for fear of being made to feel like a PFB loon

I haven't called the out of hours surgery yet as she's been alright, but in the last hour has stared complaining of not feeling well again, so I'll keep an eye on her and see how she goes. Will do the steamy shower soon,she sounds very congested.

Thanks again

[nobodyimportant]

I think you should get her seen, is there a walk in centre near you? If it's taking her a lot of effort to breathe or if she's wheezing or rasping while she breathes then take her to A&E. The trouble is these things do get worse at night so if she's not well now she could get very poorly later.

I hope she's better soon, it's such a worry.

[PavlovtheCat]

How is she feeling now eltompo i hope she is not suffering too much and gets a restful sleep x