rapid breathing and temperature. ......

[crikeybill]

I took my 23 month old to the out of hours doc yesterday who diagnosied hand foot and mouth disease. Although as he had vomited all day she admitted that didn't fit with the usual symptoms but put it down to the high temperature.

I put him to bed at 7 and slept in his room expecting a horrible night but he has slept through, albeit fitfully. What concerns me though is his breathing . He has breathed so fast and rapid all night, as if he has run. Its so loud too and he is so hot. Im worried its not hand foot and mouth but something else .
Why is he breathing like that ?
Help.

If it's very rapid you should ring the emergency docs and get him seen again. Hope he's better soon.

Babies and children breathe much faster than adults. A two year old should breathe up to 40 times/minute. Count carefully and if its up there or higher call the GP again. Also check temperature.

breathing rate will be a lot faster when he has a fever too. Is the temp being controlled with paracetamol? But take him back if you are worried

Also look at his tummy while he breathes, is his tummy doing the breathing work,or his shoulders? Or does it all look normal?

fever in children guidelines go to section 1.6 and 1.7

Thanks everyone. I have made another appointment for this morning. He seems muvh brighter in himself now i have woken him up but he has 2 very obvious spots on his upper thigh. I thought it was only on the hands and feet with hand an foot disease. Hmmm im not convinced the diagnosis was right.

Breathing is v important and I don't think that the statement "people breathe faster when they have a fever" is helpful, even if true. Any rapid breathing, ESPECIALLY if associated with lethargy, rib recession or pulling in around the neck, needs to be properly checked out. Personally, I would always go to A&E and get the sats (oxygen saturation) properly measured and get a child assessed by a paediatrician.

However, if a child is playing with toys and has plenty of energy, a GP's appointment would probably be fine.