This horrid temp/cough bug. How long before I need spend hours on hold trying to get through to my GPs?

[upjacobscreekwithoutapaddle]

Ds2 (2.7) is really suffering with this bloody cough and temperature virus doing the rounds. He had croup about 5 weeks ago and has never properly shifted the cough so I'm not sure if its a reoccurence or a new virus. His chest was clear a fortnight ago when the doc listened to it at an unrelated appt. His temp has been spiking to about 39 over the weekend and he keeps vomiting with the cough. There is loads of mucous on his chest and its very wet sounding. Just ride out the virus and keep fluids up or drs in case its chest infection?

If he sounds bubbly in the chest, rather than throat mucus, I would see gp. Hope he feels better soon.

my dad is 7 and has had temp/sore throat/cough on and off for a week :(

Not sure Id bother, just got back from the gp with my 2.11 DS who has the same to be told 'just time and rest'...waste if time going out in the freezing bloody rain and I probably have 'neurotic mother' all over my notes now but he's had it a week or so and its not shifting...

Lots of viruses around at the moment. It is just time & rest in lots of cases. I agree with Spicedtea, it's a waste going out when you could be staying warm but sometimes it's good to be reassured.

Took DD this morning. She has very laboured breathing, wheezing and a cough. She has bronchiolitis. I was nearly not going to bother taking her as I thought it was just teething

I really think you know your child, if you are worried go. Last time I took DD expecting to be told to give her calpol as it was just a cough the GP called 999!

One week the chest can be clear, the next week it may not be clear. Pneumonia can develop any time. So you have to trust your feelings and your own judgement.

If he has laboured breathing, bluish lips and/or nails, or fast heart rate/breathing rate, phone OOH or go to A&E.

You can do the capillary refill test (nail bed test) to check oxygen levels and you can measure breathing rate. For each age group the interval for acceptable breathing rates is different so you can either ask OOH or nhs direct or google the breathing rate range for a 2 to 3 year old.

Thanks for your responses it's really hard to know what to do as I know there are loads of these viruses going round and I don't want to waste docs (or my) time. His temp is being easily controlled by meds and staying down for several hours before repeaking(?) but his cough is so horrid he's struggling to sleep.

Dd had the same - I took her to drs as during the night her breathing was quite laboured and wheezy and I was quite worried. Was fully expecting to be told it was just viral.

Apparently her chest sounded awful and they decided she had an infection - gave us amoxicillin and inhaler (not asthmatic) and nearly put her on a nebuliser!

I would go in if I were you, especially if they are getting over croup.