Chest infections - what does it mean?

[strawberrycornetto]

My 11 month old DS has had repeated chest infections, diagnosed as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, at various points over the winter. My DD who is 4 has had a cough and cold for the last week and when we saw the doctor about something else today I asked her to check DD's chest. She said she has a chest infection and presecribed antibiotics.

I don't really understand what this means. I do know it is really a generic term that covers lots of things. She hasn't had a cough for long, although it does sound quite bad. Why does she need antibiotics, is it not more likely to be a virus? Is it common for children to get chest infections? I have never had one and neither has my DS as far as I know. Do I need to be worried or is it one of those things?

I should say my DS is seeing a consultant tomorrow about his chest, so I can ask about him, but I am now worried about DD too. She has often suffered with coughs, but never one that has been diagnosed as a chest infection before.

There can be many bugs that cause a chest infection.

Usually if someone is coughing up yellow/greeny phlegm this is usually indicative of an actual infection as opposed to a virus.On listening to someones chest using a stethoscope the doctor can usually hear "Crackles and wheezes".Person may also usually have a temperature

The only way to definitively find out what type of bug is to send off a sputum sample.Many CI will be treated with a common broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxycillin.Which usually works

Another diagnostic test can be a chest Xray which will show "Patches of white" on the lungs.Not usually needed for a "Simple" CI

Sometimes CI can be "atypical" and not respond to usual antibiotics and need stronger ones,but this is unusual and often in conjunction with other illness if someone is debilitated.

Thanks, that's interesting. I guess that means its more than just a simple cough? The doctor listened and said she could hear crackles. DD seems well in herself though, no temperature, and she's not coughing up phlegm.

DS falls into the "aytpical" category unfortunately. Am really hoping nothing else proves to be wrong with him but it has made me very paranoid about chest infections all of a sudden.

I think it would probably be a "simple" chest infection,don't panic

What abs is she on?

When I say "atypical" I mean a ci that is resistant to conventional first line antibiotics,so please don't worry.

Thank you for reassuring me. I am also sure that DD's is just a simple chest infection. She's on eurythmycin (sp?). DS, on the other hand, had two lots of progressively stronger ABs but still ended up in hospital with pneumonia needing iv antibiotics. It then came back (or never cleared) so he had another two lots plus an inhaler. He's just finished another course for another chest infection which hasn't got worse but hasn't gone either.

I've been terribly worried about DS so I've kind of not been as worried about DD who's older and generally really healthy. I guess I'm now worrying I've not taken her cough seriously enough, but from what you've said, I do think its just a simple chest infection and probably one of those things.

Poor ds,I hope you get some answers from the consultant,and hope dd is better soon xxx

Thank you, and thanks for your really helpful posts