111 or A&E or not?

[Aandornot]

Namechanged, not a journo or weirdo. Posting for traffic, genuinely not sure what to do.

My 5 year old daughter has come up with purple lips earlier today, kept saying she was cold, has a low level fever 37.5.

Warmed her up initially as we had been out and got a bit wet in the rain (I did too but felt absolutely fine not overly cold etc) and the purple tinge went then came back. She has an occasional chesty sounding cough (coughing like 10 times a day for example - not much) and she does have asthma. She's OK in herself generally. Should I worry? Dr Google says call 999 🙃 and possible pneumonia. But she's eating and drinking and playing absolutely fine.

I'd call 111 if it were me.

If Dr Google is saying 999, then 111 will just send you in anyway. Give them a call; if it was me I would! And maybe prep for going in. Hope she’s okay.

111 but if her lips are blueish then its probably an a&e job to check her oxygen levels

If it were me I'd offer a dose of her inhaler and monitor overnight. Very unlikely to be chest infection or pneumonia if eating and drinking and even playing fine. If coughing lots more or using any extra effort to breathe (sucking in) overnight then A&E if not call GP for same day appointment tomorrow. I usually find 111 pretty useless.

She's OK in herself generally.

That means I'd do nothing but normal levels of vigilance.

Our DS was playing away happily while recovering from flu then suddenly deteriorated and it was pneumonia (he also has asthma). I’ve found with the asthma doctors usually take us pretty seriously, anything chest related. Get her checked.

111

I'd watch and wait too.

I'm not clear if she has bluish (purple) lips now or not? I would get checked out sharpish if blue lips once warmed up - that's a sign of poor oxygen levels which could be lung or heart related and I wouldn't ignore it. If the blue lips went when she warmed up after being outside then watch and wait would be my call.

I'd do 111 online and see what that says

111. Blue lips don't necessarily suggest a lung problem. They can indicate a heart problem as well. It is better to get it checked.

Get her checked for peace of mind if nothing else. I had a similar experience and 111 told me to take DS to A&E- he was eating hula hoops and chatting in the waiting room. Triage obs showed oxygen of 83 and he was omitted with pneumonia. He went down hill so quickly I am so grateful we were in A&E

Do you have a pulse oximeter or an Apple Watch that could check their o2 levels?

I would ring 111 I think. Hope she's OK and you get sorted quickly if you need seen.

I would take her to a n e but be prepared to wait as Junior docs are on strike today. Make sure you take snacks and blankets and tablets to distract her. Try 111 first wait is very long though

Purple/ blue lips could indicate cynosis,low oxygen levels I would get her checked out tbh.

I'd call 111 because if you need to take her to a&e they will call ahead and let them know

If she’s not increased her blue inhaler usage significantly I’d phone 111.

Thanks everyone. The purple lips went after a few pumps blue inhaler, she was tired (generally not worryingly so) and her temp had come down with calpol. So I've decided to camp out in her room and keep checking her tonight until I can call the GP in the morning (unless she's magically better by then)

No neither. Is an oximeter something you can buy? As she has asthma I guess it's something that could be useful to have.

Forgot to add she's now sleeping peacefully and seems OK for now.

You can buy pulse oximeters on Amazon. We got one during covid. They aren't as accurate as in hospital but still give a good guide.

I'm going to get one thanks. Still asleep. Temperature 36.5 and seems fine 🤷 will keep an eye on her tomorrow.

Home pulse oximiters arent recommended for kids, too easy to get false readings.

111 now for her - she needs urgent assessment if she’s having to use inhaler a lot more anyway.