3 year old cough and temp- when to call 111?

[mumtoboys12]

Our 3 year old has started coughing since last night, is very hot, and coughs so much he can hardly catch his breath. He is wheezing and his chest is sucking in and out with every breath. He is eating drinking and sleeping. Wanted to stay in bed till 11am which is unheard of. But can still chat away and is eating his lunch as we speak. Is this just going to be a virus and he needs to ride it out or should I call 111? Very red cheeks and temperature too. Thanks

i think given what you’ve said about his cough, temp and chest I would get him looked at so call 111.

in meantime make sure he’s stripped to a vest, in a nice cool well ventilated room, given paracetamol or ibuprofen for the temp, is awake and not (overly) lethargic or sleepy, drinking fluids and passing urine. Sometimes kids can rigour which is horrible and it is the body trying to bring the temp down but if you are worried you are best getting him checked out. Don’t worry too much if he’s not eating much as long as he is drinking fluids.

When you say chest sucking do you tummy beneath rib cage? If so that's a sign of potential bronchiolitis so I'd be ringing 111 to be on the safe side. Hope he gets well soon

@ohidoliketobe yes I think it may be bronchiolitis but I know it's viral and not sure what anyone would do

@Shopper727 Thankyou very much. Yes I'm doing all that (he spends his life at home naked anyway so why change a habit of a lifetime 😂)

It sounds like this is veering towards breathing difficulties, I would call 111.

If he is wheezy and his chest is sucking in he may needs inhalers, he needs a face to face assessment. It could be a viral induced wheeze not bronchiolitis.

Would give them a call due to the breathing. DS had something similar and had to get a nebuliser a couple of times. Also has to give a n inhaler for a few days after. His diagnosis was viral wheeze. We went to the doctor as was a week day but would have called if a weekend. Doctor told us to go to hospital.

Hope he is better soon.

Thankyou everyone we called 111 and they actually sent an ambulance. He's ok, told us to call 999 if breathing worsens.

Hi OP, hope your little one is ok? May I ask how he is now?