111 now or GP in the morning?

[iwasagirlinavillage]

Posting in AIBU for traffic.

DD2 has just turned 1 year. She was born 7 weeks prem. She seems very susceptible to colds and infections and has had a runny nose and cough for 6 weeks. About a month ago she had a viral rash with it that went and then a week ago she had a discharge from her ear that cleared up on its own and now it has gone to her chest. Since yesterday she has been wheezy and coughing continuously. Her temp is 37.6 and her hands and feet feel hot even though her arms and lets are cooler. I have a Sat monitor that I use for my older daughter and that is saying her oxygen saturation is around 90. Anything under 92 requires oxygen but her fingers are small and I don't think it's getting a good trace.

She's going between breastfeeding, coughing and crying. Should I call 111? Or see the GP in the morning? If I phone 111 I'm fairly certain they'll say to go to A&E as they never take the risk with a baby with breathing problems.

I should start by saying I'm not a doctor. But your description - coughing for the past day and no fever - sounds like a baby with a normal cold. On that basis, I'd leave it until morning, and maybe not even go to the GP.

I don't know anyone who has a stats monitor at home. Was it a medical need for DD1? I'm just wondering whether you have health anxiety?

Phone 111 or better yet skip 111 and just go straight to A&E. Good luck I hope she gets better soon.

If it is worrying you that much I'd personally call 111 and see what they advise xx

Nobody can really answer this for you - especially if you are concerned about her breathing. With my son, before his asthma was being treated, I used to go by his respiration rate. I would think he seemed lethargic and not himself, then realise his respiration was above 50 breaths per minute (he's 3). There's no harm in calling 111 - it's what they are there for.

Can you put sats clip on her ear or foot instead? If extremities are warm it probably is an accurate trace. At 90% SpO2 and with a wheeze I'd probably just head down to A+E to be honest.

As Shootfirst has said, with your baby being prem I would be more inclined to get them checked out. My friends daughter was premature and often ends up in hospital with/ on oxygen if she get's a cold/ chest infection. She is six now but the Doctors have always said to call/ take her in if worried.

DD1 has breathing problems, hence the Sat monitor. I never use it in isolation but when I'm borderline about if she needs to go in to hospital I use it as a further confirmation or to reassure me.

As for DD2, she's had a cold for 6 weeks. The last two days the cough has become persistent with wheezing and generally pretty miserable.

She's so tired but every time she falls asleep she wakes up coughing.

I would phone 111 rep for breathing issues

I've been able to get the sat monitor on her toe and that said her saturation was 96. Her heart rate is 160, which is high and her resp rate is 60, which is also high.

You really do need to ring NHS for advice OP but also follow your gut. Ignored my gut once and almost didn't live to regret it. Trust your instincts and if you can't figure out what they say, ring or go in anyway.

Well 96% is certainly better than 90%! Ring 111 and let them make a decision based on the info you have.

I would probably call, to be honest. Or just head up to a and e. As you say, they probably will send you there anyway. Might be safest to get her checked out.

I would do as above call 111 and let them make decision- we have a prem and were told they are most susceptible to colds etc and might need oxygen at times. We've been lucky but hasn't stopped us going in to a and e at times!

Sorry meant to add, hope she feels better soon

Give them a call to give them a heads-up you're coming, and take her in. Never had a doctor not want to see an ex-prem with wheezing.

I would just rush to A&E right now. Nothing in the world would make me take a chance with the health of a small baby. Period.

Just call, better to get it checked out

I would also call 111.

I'd call mainly due to the wheeze.

Doctor here. If you haven't already, please go to hospital.

If nothing else, she'll be really uncomfortable and they'll help with that.

I'd take her to A&E. My DD was always admitted if her sats were 96 or below. You don't mess around with breathing difficulties.