Anyone awake?

[Winterbluessummersoonish]

2.6 year old has high temp 39.5, fast breathing 70 bpm and sounds chesty and grunting- given inhaler helped audible wheeze go but still chesty sounding - gave calpol at 11.30 he threw up straight after (always does, very hard to give medicine to) - DH says wait till morning, I am not sure if his breathing should wait that long - if we ring 111 they either send an ambulance (no need) or take 2 hours to call you back depending on how you answer first questions - we have a good children's A&E but maybe he can wait - DH had said we should give him 30 mins to see if something improves which is why I am distracting myself - will probably just self refer but always feel like I overreact and DH is too calm...
Anyway this has become a bit of a ramble rather than a question - it is so hard, if he just had high temp it would be fine or just sounded chesty - it's the combo and fact he won't take calpol - 111 may be happy medium...

Anyone awake?

I'd have to say head for A&E imho. no, you're not over reacting. "Abnormal" breathing is always a top priority, irrespective of the cause. it's potentially life threatening. get seen, and try to stay calm so he stays calm too. good luck x

A&E. hope all ok x

Hospital I'm afraid. Fast breathing should always be checked out imo from experience with asthmatic ds.

If it was me I'd sling him in the car and get seen at a&e, 70 bpm is pretty fast, grunting and chesty also not good.

it might not be his 'breathing' it could be that he's having to work hard to fight infection/temp.

I'd get him checked, follow your instincts.

Mother of asthmatic dd here. I would ALWAYS have breathing issues checked out by doctor. I have seen several times how quickly they can deteriorate at that age.

How is his colour? Any blue tinge to around the mouth?

Is he working hard to breathe?

A&E, my gut would be that the fever is causing him to work hard but with a child I wouldn't take the risk.

Grunting not great, is his stomach going in quite a bit when breathing?
I would bring to children's A&E as I have children with asthma & wouldn't take the risk.

Definitely take him in.

If his breathing is affected it's a no-brainer IMO especially if he has asthma.
Grunting can sometimes be caused by high temperature - my DS2 had this and it only went down after I took him to OOH and he got given antibiotics for tonsillitis (painkillers didn't touch it)

A+e.
And you should have some suppositories in your house-para link for when he can't keep calpol down. Important to keep his temp under control.
Is he a known asthmatic or has just had previous viral wheezy episodes?
How many puffs of inhaler has he had? Salbutamol?
But always better to bring to a and e if any signs of respiratory distress.

Dr here - I say A&E right now please. If any worse 999

Thanks for replies - at a & e waiting to be seen

In a bay at A&E, temp still 39.5 heart rate 165 and Oxygen Sats 93 - nurse gone to get medication to bring temp down - he looks so poorly now -

Handholding Winter

He's in good hands, the medication should take effect fairly quickly.

Already looking better, chest infection just need to get heart rate lower etc but hopefully will all come down soon -

Only just started reading but even from your thread title i thought 'go to a&e' i think you have a gut feeling on if you are comfortable and i think if you feel worried its a good indication that it ought to.be checked!
Hope you are ok and looked after well in hospital.

Hope he feels better soon :-)

Just an update - we are home with antibiotics - everything nearer normal - will go back if breathing gets worse - thanks for replies-

I'm glad he's a bit better, such a relief. When they're little they can improve and deteriorate in a very short space of time.

Thank you for updating, so glad you went.

Glad he's ok. Always best to be on the safe side with regards to breathing issues. Hope he gets better soon.

pleased you went asap. thanks for update too, I wondered about him a lot during the day. hope you can all catch up on some zzzs now after last night's epic nightshift!