Viral induced wheeze

[Leo090813]

Hi everyone,

My 7yo was taken to hospital on Saturday as he had a cough for few days and went rapidly downhill, struggling to breathe and breathing very very fast, and he was diagnosed with a severe viral induced wheeze. Hospital gave him burst therapy of salbutamol (excuse spelling??!) and we had to stay in overnight as it was taking a while to improve. His oxygen levels were a little on the low side but they discharged us Sunday morning and said his chest is clear now and sent us home with inhaler to take every 4 hours until he's better and told to see a GP today. They told me he's fine to go to school today but I kept him off, he's still coughing and I'm concerned it's going to happen again, it's causing me so much worry. My question is, am I being over cautious keeping him off this week until cough clears? Should I let him go back to school? I just worry about all the activity and running around and if it would make him have another attack. I'm waiting for Gp to call back to give us an app today. Thanks in advance, x

My DS had this when he was 1 so I can't compare completely but it was scary so I know how that feels. I don't think it would be unreasonable to keep him off for a few days, especially if he's still needing the inhaler every 4 hours. If he seems well in himself then there's no reason to think it will reoccur, it's not like asthma, just a reaction to the virus he's had. Hope that helps

@Frustratedmummy79

My DS had this when he was 1 so I can't compare completely but it was scary so I know how that feels. I don't think it would be unreasonable to keep him off for a few days, especially if he's still needing the inhaler every 4 hours. If he seems well in himself then there's no reason to think it will reoccur, it's not like asthma, just a reaction to the virus he's had. Hope that helps

Thank you. I sort of just wanted to hear I'm not being a crazy mum keeping him off, so thank you! Would prefer for him to be rested watching a film than running around playing football, atleast til cough has gone. Thank you xx

Definitely doing the right thing to keep him off. My wee one is 5 and we had this in August. Overnight stay with nebulisers and oxygen. She missed 5 days of school in total I think, including the 2 before she went to hospital. It is so scary, but the inhaler should do the job. Speak to the GP if you are worried, the hospital should have written to them.

At the moment more so, it's probably best to keep him off!
Poor thing, it must've been so scary for you.