What should oxygen sats, heart rate and temp be with covid in a 12 yo?

[Wagsandclaws]

Just that really, I'd like to know what to keep an eye on. I have two ds with positive lft this morning and ds1 who is 12 has had a high temp all day despite the usual calpol.

When should I worry wrt oxygen sats, how high a temp is too high and does heart rate matter particularly?

Both boys have been to hospital with croup and asthma, they are on clenil and Montelukast for their asthma - 12 yo not jabbed yet.

When's time to worry especially with the oxygen sats please? He seems to be fluctuating between 95 and 98 right now with a heart rate of between 110 - 120 . I think that's ok right now isn't it? Any advice much appreciated.

95 is on the cusp of not OK - he needs attention if it's lower. (Is he white? I think pulse oximeters are less reliable on people of colour.)

That resting heart rate seems very high for a prolonged period of time. I would check in with 111 for that.

Temperature isn't a massive issue.

(Disclaimer, I'm not a medic, but have used pulse oximeter at home post Covid)

I would talk to your GP about this as they can take their asthma into account. I hope they recover soon.

Hi OP, I'm a nurse, but not pediatrics. Have been redeployed twice to covid ICU. Just my opinion, I'm sure others will be along with better advice.
Personally, I would put away the monitors. You'll drive yourself mad. Those numbers mean nothing unless you know their 'normal' obs.
You are their mum and know them best. If you are concerned, seek help.
I realise you are so worried, but fluctuations in readings can be nothing/normal, as well as worrying. Look at the child, not the monitors. Are they at ease or struggling? Is their temp persistently high despite meds? Are they eating/drinking/weeing?
Someone's obs could read normal, but as I nurse I could look at them and see something wasn't right. You know them so well, you will know if concerned something isn't right. Never be afraid to ask or attend for help if you are really concerned.
Hope all on the mend soon.

I thought It was under 90? I had no idea that 95 was bordering on bad.

@Boscoforever yes that's probably a good idea. He's poorly but alert enough and certainly not pale.

Ds2 who doesn't have it so badly, in fact he seems asymptomatic was in hospital when he turned 1 and had to have oxygen for a few days and his sats where down to 91/92 and I had no idea hence why I thought I'd keep an eye on it.

I'm inclined to think the heart rate is higher as I can really get his temp down below 38.3.

I've just checked again and it's steady at 98 for now so I'm sure it's fine.

POP score...

My 14yo ds with asthma just had Covid. The nurse at our GP surgery said to keep an eye on his SATS and if they fell below 95% oxygen to go to hospital. His heart rate was high too - up to 120. That calmed down after a few days though.

You could ring your surgery for advice?

Heart rate will go up with temp we use a chart like this.

DD has asthma, her paediatrician advised we get an oxi meter and if sats read below 95%, while awake, seek advice
If 90 or below, 999

When she’s been admitted, they’ve set her alarm to go off below 95%
When well and asthma well controlled, she reads 98-99%

I think oximeters.are also useful specifically for Covid, as one of its features is that patients can present as OK when they actually have really low O2 - more so than with some.other illnesses.

If oxygen is 94 or worse, call 111, make sure they know he's asthmatic and isn't responding to salbutamol (blue inhaler). If it goes below 90 in the meantime, call 999.

If at any point you're really worried, better to call and it be a false alarm than not to call in time.

@BabycakesMatlala

I think oximeters.are also useful specifically for Covid, as one of its features is that patients can present as OK when they actually have really low O2 - more so than with some.other illnesses.

Medical equipment needs to be verified and calibrated to ensure it’s accurate though. And used correctly. Or the readings are not going to be accurate. OP you mention calpol, is that for the 12 year old? Are you giving a dosage suitable for a 12 year old? I’m presuming you’re not giving ibuprofen because of the asthma or other medical condition?

Just posting in case anyone else reads this ^^ this is duff advice re oximeters. The NHS advice for those isolating with Covid is literally that patients use oximeters at home, for exactly the reason I gave. For example www.gmmh.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n8592.pdf&ver=11500

OP, I really hope your son is doing OK now