To not take DS to the hospital?

[challengethethought]

I posted on a Mum page (Facebook) asking what I could give one year old DS to comfort him. By that I mean things like home remedies for soothing, like honey and lemon.

He woke up about an hour ago, crying like mad with a barking cough and loud chest. Finally got him to sleep and he's wheezing and making odd grunts.

NHS advice online is just to keep an eye and don't worry. Most likely Croup by the sounds of it, not serious unless he appears to be struggling for breaths.

I've been hounded by mums on the FB page to take him to A&E! Literally every one of them. Someone's even said "Take him to A&E for fuck sake, NEVER play with a child's life!"

AIBU to not take him?

When ds had croup 101 said unless he was clearly struggling to breath then he was fine at home, but take him to the GP the next day.

Wheezing is different to croup!

I understand that it's not the most tempting of things to do, and you'll be waiting around....

If the symptoms are as described then it's highly unlikely that OP will be waiting around.

Sorry cross posted with you. Each and every time my DD has ended up in hospital she has not had a temp and responded to touch.

I genuinely wouldn’t mess around with breathing issues, he’s a small child who’s symptoms can change quickly. What’s the harm in making a phone call for advice?

As previously posted, NHS online advice doesn't apply to under 5s because you are suppose to call them if you have worries about your child. Hopefully the rest of his evening is settled now though.

My eldest had group several times between the ages of 18 months and 8 years old. We were always told not to go to A&E until the stridor started but then to get him there without delay so he could be given the steroid (Dex). After 4 trips we had the Dex prescribed to keep in the house for when his stride started. The last time we were o holiday in Jersey and had to take him to the hospital again.

Don't mess around - croup can be fatal if not treated. Even thinking about those days with my son gives me that sinking feeling in my stomach!

With children that young it's better to be cautious, they can go downhill fast.

Is there a reason you're scared of (at a minimum) calling 111?

When he is settled is he sucking in at the top of his stomach or along his ribs (called intercostal recession; or does he have something called tracheal tug - where the notch between his collar bones don’t quite meet, does that suck in with his breathing? Lastly, are his nostrils flaring when he breathes?

Is he sleepier than usual, having fewer wet nappies and feeding less than normal?

All the above can be signs of bronchiolitis in little ones and should be reviewed by a Dr in case steroid treatment is needed. Ex children’s nurse here and our A&E would rather see and discharge a little one with wheezing and difficulty breathing than not see them till they’re very sick and struggling!!

I really am baffled on here at times.

Other posterd have got it better than I did with the chest and breaths, please call 111.

OP this is from NHS 111

When to call 999
While it's unusual for children to need hospital treatment for bronchiolitis, the symptoms can get worse very quickly.

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if:

your child has difficulty breathing or exhaustion from trying to breathe (you may see the muscles under their ribs sucking in with each breath, they may be grunting with the effort of trying to breathe, or they may be pale and sweaty)

OP you know that 111 isn't the same as 999 right? I've called them before and they've been really nice and helpful. I don't understand why you are risking you DS health over a phone call?

OP, it's really hard to tell when there's a problem at this age.

My DD2 came with me to take her sister to a GP appt when she had croup. GP noticed her breathing was a problem and sent us straight to A&E. I was oblivious.

Croup is dangerous. If his breathing is noisy, get him checked. A paediatrician once told me in A&E never to 'frig about' if I had concerns about her breathing.

OP if you are convinced that the advice from NHS advice line is suitable for your DS situation then why are you asking on here ?

You obviously have doubt. Trust your instincts and seek further advice.

My DS had croup as a under 1 yr old and went down hill rapidly one morning resulting in ambulance and blue lights to hospital.

Don't dismiss this as just croup.

Sorry OP, have to agree with PP. You’ve obviously posted because something seems off, yes he might be just fine.. but what if he’s not? My DC had bronchiolitis at 1 and 111 sent an ambulance and they wanted us to go to hospital quite quickly. Just as well because her oxygen levels were dangerously low and she was hospitalised for several days. Even forgot how to walk she’d been in bed poorly so long. Shudder to think what could of happened had I brushed it off.

Do you see the poster above @challengethethought ?? An actual medical
professional, not a website that doesn’t apply to your child’s age group anyway, telling you to seek help?

I hope that has shifted you... though I suspect not.

Why did you bother posting if you were going to ignore all advice?

Exactly.

He’s only one?? I’d definitely be calling NHS for advice and possibly getting him checked out.

I am a health professional and would urge you to call NHS 111, he needs to have his chest properly assessed if he is wheezing.

What's the worst that could happen if you go?

What's the worst that could happen if you don't? ...

Those resps are low. You need to have him seen.

First time Ds has croup at about 1 I asked a neighbour who was a paramedic to come in and check on him. He heard him and got straight onto 999 and made it clear that an ambulance was needed now. He later told me he was genuinely concerned he was about to go into respiratory failure.

Croup isn’t always mild.

I am a health professional and would urge you to call NHS 111, he needs to have his chest properly assessed if he is wheezing.

OP look. This is what you need to do at least.