To ask when you should worry about a cough in 2 yr old...thoughts please, I'm stressing...

[MuggledWoman]

Just put 2 yr old DS to bed. He's had a cough the last few days, coughing a lot at night and a bit whiny but generally seems himself. Tonight he has settled well, but while reading him stories I noticed his breathing was a bit fast (sort of panting- ish?)and he had a slight temp ( didn't take a reading, but slightly hot head and cold hands/feet, which is usually a sign that he has a temp. He was chatting away and asking questions while I read, so obviously not feeling too poorly in himself. At what point do you worry about chest infection etc? He's been to hospital once when a cough turned v wheezy but that was over a year ago so think he's growing out of that. Don't why I'm feeling stressed, but DH is abroad and I hate being on my own when you're worried about their health! I'd know if he was having trouble breathing wouldn't I?

Have you given him some calpol? Keep checking him tonight and if you are still worried in the morning go to the doctor? X

Yup, done Calpol and he's fast asleep. I get irrationally worried when I'm the only one in the house! Keep thinking what if he's struggling to breathe and I don't wake up. I sound mad...I'm really not!

If he has a temperature, it's probably best to give him Calpol or Ibuprofen to bring it down and check him during the night.

Breathing becomes concerning if it's much more rapid than usual, with wheezing and they 'pull in' ie under the ribs or the nape of the neck goes in when they breathe in. This can indicate croup or bronchiolitis. Obviously, going blue around the mouth or being non-responsive requires a 999 call.

Hope that he feels better soon.

Nothing very helpful to say but just wanted to empathise. My DS is now 9 and was hospitalised twice - 5 months and again age 2 - with a cough. He has post nasal drip and sometimes needs steroids when the coughing gets really bad.

Most times he has a cough and cold it's just that, but I do worry unreasonably every time, especially when I'm by myself and DH seems to be always away when DCs are ill.

That said, he always says they're fine and wouldn't have taken DS to doctor last year when he ended up in hospital for 5 days, so he isn't much practical use when I'm weighing-up what to do!

I find when I get from the being worried and "should I / shouldn't I" debate with myself to the "where do I go and how would I get there" then it's time to see a doctor.

Hope DS has an ok night and that things are better in the morning.

I had mine to the docs the other week with a really chesty cough that wouldn't shift. There was no infection, just a viral thing but the doc said she would rather see 20 children like him than one who was more serious but their mum had delayed bringing them in for fear of time wasting.
Keep checking through the night and get him checked in the morning, you will worry yourself sick otherwise

Thanks all. Just been into to check on him. His breathing is still faster than normal but only slightly and it doesn't sound wheezy at all. I felt his chest and its definitely rising as he breathes in...all good signs. I had half been wondering if he needed to see someone tonight but I think he just needs a good ( fingers crossed) sleep and we can reassess in the morning! X