8mo cough and temp, when to call a doctor?

[Bunnybaubles]

Apologies if similar has been posted and answered before.

My DD is 8 mo and has a hacking dry cough and feels hot to touch (can't find my thermometer after hiding it from my 20 mo) so dont know her exact temp.

She is clearly in alot of pain, and very distressed which is so out of character. She sounds like what you'd expect from an infection in the chest where her breathing sounds tight and it's obvious her throat is hurting.

Normally she is an amazing sleeper, but tonight she is howling with pain and exhaustion, its breaking my heart.

NHS 24 advice is dont call unless its critical so I dont want to waste their time.

Should I be treating this as just a cold, which is how I would deal with it without all this going on, or should I be phoning my GP in the morning because she is so little? But everything I read says little ones have mild symptoms (if it is). I'm not sure what I should be doing.

Her big brother (21 years old) has the same symptoms.

We are self isolating just incase.

If she can't breathe dial 999.

Otherwise paracetamol and hope the fever breaks.

Thanks for replying, I've been keeping her topped up with paracetamol and ibuprofen. She has fallen asleep now, thankfully the exhaustion got the better of her.

Both DD's had a virus recently, both had runny nose and a rash but then started to get better.

Then my lo just got ill again with the temp coming back and developed a cough, then I realised her big brother is constantly coughing.

I'm still thinking just a bad cold since that's what was going around before these new symptoms but with everything that's going on it's so hard not to worry.

I'm not sure what the current (ie today) advice is, but last week they were suggesting no ibuprofen if you're worried about CO-VID. I hope she feels better soon.

You have a very young baby who is clearly really not well, whatever is chasing it. Phone 111 and ask their advice- be prepared for a long wait but it’s best to be safe than sorry imo

111 are still advising to call them for advise if it's for a child under 5, so that's what I'd do.

As a PP mentioned, I'd stop giving the ibuprofen for now until you've spoken to someone.

I phoned 111 for my 4mo with similar symptoms and - not the fault of the call handler who was obviously totally overwhelmed - they weren't very helpful. AFAIK they're not medically trained, just following a script, which in this case has been written with adults and older children. So she was asking if he was "going about his daily activities"; when I said he's only 4mo and doesn't really have any daily activities she said, "but you know, is he getting out of bed and watching TV, that sort or thing?" Advised me (correctly, I realise) to self-isolate for 7 days. But my main concern wasn't CV; it was that he had something else that would be assumed to be CV, that he'd keep deteriorating while we self-isolated, and not be treated until it was too late. Which she wasn't in a position to advise on obviously.
The GP did a phone consultation which was very useful - aasessed him as a baby instead of as an adult, advised it sounded like a regular winter bug rather than CV (but to self-isolate anyway), told me what to look out for in terms of serious breathing difficulties, gave some at-home things I could do to ease his current mild breathing discomfort.
So if you're worried I'd contact the GP rather than 111.

Seek medical attention now

Call the GP.

How did you get on through the night OP? I would call my GP x

Call 111. And stop the ibuprofen! Paracetamol only.

Hi sorry just saw everyones messages, thanks for replying.

Omg I didnt realise about the ibuprofen, I gave her a dose this morning! That'll be her last though thanks so much for letting me know.

I managed to get her down for the night around 2am. I kept her in her bouncy chair all night so she was lying upright and lifted her and her chair into her cot. Surprisingly she slept all night, but she has always been a brilliant sleeper and she was totally exhausted, sitting up must've helped her chest.

I havent phoned the gp yet, she seems quite content this morning, compared to last night. You can really hear her chest and throat when she breathes so I'm keeping an eye on that. I dont want to take up the gp's time if I dont have to. Not sure if that's the right thing or not!! Feel free to tell me if I'm being an idiot.

Just ring, nobody will begrudge you seeking advice for a baby.

Be careful about sleeping in chairs, the head can fall forward and restrict the airway so best not to unless you're watching all the time.

Phone 111 don't feel bad, she is only little.

Bronchiolitis and Croup are two common conditions in babies with a virus.

I have attached some guidance sheets and videos below so that you know what to look out for and when to seek help. Make sure you keep her fluids up so she doesn't get dehydrated, offer feeds after pain relief if refusing due to sore throat, syringe in fluids if necessary, if taking less than half of usual feeds or no wet nappy in 8 hours also seek advice.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=what0-18.nhs.uk/application/files/5215/1024/3272/CS45385_NHS_Bronchiolitis_Advice_Sheet_Oct_17.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiDy_Ti4bLoAhVzoFwKHVgUDjMQFjAAegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0lXfXT2h8BGjwNVWdocxEF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bronchiolitis

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.southtees.nhs.uk/content/uploads/Croup-Advice-Sheet.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjCkMz_4bLoAhWTiFwKHZ-FCrwQFjACegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw2EvnXsAdaHZe7TTTZ8uKRd&cshid=1585041060596" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Croup

www.physio-pedia.com/Signs_of_Respiratory_Distress_in_Children

Thanks for the reassurance. I'm just off the phone to the GP. The call went as I expected, we all have to self isolate and my older DD has to stay away from work for 2 weeks (she works in the health care sector). And we got advice on what to look out for and who to call or where to go if my DD gets really bad.

DR told me it's ok to give DD ibuprofen which is a relief since paracetamol just wasnt enough on it's own.

Thanks for all your replies, sometimes you just need reassurance.

Okay, how to tell if your baby/young child is struggling to breathe:

Are they breathing fast, even when their temperature is okay?
Can you see the chest sucking in between the ribs/above the breastbone/below the ribs?
Are their nostrils getting bigger and smaller with each breath?
Is their head nodding up and down with each breath?
Are they making a grunting noise every time they breathe out?

If yes to any of these, do they have an inhaler? If yes, then try the inhaler. If not, or if the inhaler doesn't work, need to seek medical help.

(Please be aware that advice given online can only be very general, and you have no idea if I know what I'm talking about...)

OP how is she today? X