Can’t get through to NHS, son 8 has Covid, is this a worrying sign?

[Hamnet]

DS is 8. Has had Covid for about six days. V few symptoms other than feeling a bit under the weather. Tonight he keeps saying it’s stuffy and he is taking this loud deep breaths every 8-10 breaths. He says he is doing it as he can’t take a deep breath.

He’s not remotely blue in the lips or nails. He is pale. The breathing thing is odd and I e never seen it before.

Any ideas whether I should worry?

Yes if he is finding it difficult to breathe he needs immediate attention.

Keep calling 111. Know anyone with an oximeter? Order one on Amazon ASAP to check oxygen levels.

Does opening a window or going outside help?

How far are you from the hospital, bear in mind it will probably be quicker to take yourself then wait for an ambulance.

Does he have asthma? Has he had his inhalers correctly if so?

He doesn’t have asthma. Did have wheeze a lot as a toddler but it stopped when he had adanoids out at age 3. Never wheezed or needed an inhaler since then.

He’s not distressed. He’s watching Encanto and occasionally doing these odd deep breaths.

We are about 15 mins drive to a paediatric A&E. five mins to an adult A&E. In central London so will be busy on NYE.

I'd be phoning 111 or an out of hours GP. It might just be congestion but I would be worried about how much oxygen he's getting.

Do you have a pulse oximeter or anyone nearby that you could borrow one from? The problem with Covid is that it can effect oxygen levels without the usual warning signs.

I hope your DS is ok and recovers quickly.

Do you have an oximeter? I’d be worried that his oxygen levels are low.

If you don’t get anywhere with 111, go to A&E.
Hypoxia (low oxygen levels) won’t give you many symptoms others than slightly short if breath and being tired. Gasping for air can be another one.

Has he a tracheal tug? What are intercostal muscles like when he breathes?

I imagine as it's breathing 111 would just send you to a and e. Not worth leaving over night in my opinion.

Anything with breathing ever, but especially where Covid is concerned, would be a concern for me. Go to A&E, take yourself, it’ll be quicker.

I had this OP - not panicky but just an uncomfortable inability to comfortably fill my lungs. When I called 111 they sent me to A&E to be assessed. They were very thorough (did loads of tests) and found nothing. I'm not sure where you are (I'm in SW London) but it's worth noting that I couldn't have just walked into A&E like you would in the old days - they were only letting in people who had been referred by 111 so I would persevere with calling them.

@DeclareThePenniesOnYourEyes

Anything with breathing ever, but especially where Covid is concerned, would be a concern for me. Go to A&E, take yourself, it’ll be quicker.

Please don't do this. See above and call 111

Take your ds to be checked - nobody will be annoyed with you for doing this. Trust your instincts, you're his mum. I hope he's okay, op.

I’d go to a&e if I were you. Paeds likely to be quieter than adult, and now will be better than later.

You can get an app on your phone samsung health? Check his oxygen levels 95 -100 is ok I believe
Keep calling 111 for advice if your worried

I'd keep trying 111.... as a PP said, A & E are only taking in 111 referrals here and that's a rural county.

Child with breathing difficulties is a 999 call.

Please don't hesitate. No one will mind out if it turns out everything is OK.

I hope he's OK

Thanks all. Finally got through to 111. They didn’t tell us to go to A&E as he has no obvious signs of low oxygen other than the breaths. His breathing rate and pulse are normal and no sucking in at the ribs. Just told to watch him closely all night and call back if anything gets worse. So that’s a relaxing night ahead.

How is your son doing OP?