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Original poster

Bronchiolitis, how bad does breathing need to be for A&E?

32 replies

suwoo · 13/11/2009 17:09

15 week old DS2 diagnosed with bronchiolitis yesterday. I see online that laboured breathing is a symptom and I know that the bit between the collar bone going in and out and the stomach muscles working are signs of working too hard to breathe (which is what he is doing)

How would I know what is too bad? When DD was 2 she had double pneumonia and was blue lighted to A&E as back then I had no idea of the signs- I do now

My gut feeling is that he is ok, but he is breathing very noisily and fast with the signs above.

I don't want to let it get to the stage DD was.

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 13/11/2009 17:10

Go to A & E

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 13/11/2009 17:11

I would take him su. Better to be safe and they can go downhill quite rapidly.

Take care.

FabIsJustSoBusy · 13/11/2009 17:12

I would take him.

You are not 100% happy so you need to take him to the hospital. He is so tiny and it is a dangerous illness to have.

Northernlurker · 13/11/2009 17:13

No take him now. He is too young to mess around with this and it sounds like worrying symptoms. How far is the hospital and are you ok to drive? Consider calling an ambulance please.

herbietea · 13/11/2009 17:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

SkipToMyLou · 13/11/2009 17:14

Go! Thought DS had bronchiolitis at 3 months, turned out to be asthma in the end. And babies can go downhill VERY quickly, he could go from slightly wheezy to struggling for breath in the space of an hour.

Original poster
suwoo · 13/11/2009 17:15

I knew you'd all say that

OP posts:
SkipToMyLou · 13/11/2009 17:16

Good luck, I'm sure he'll be fine.

Now GO !

cktwo · 13/11/2009 17:18

Hopefully she's on her way now.
Good I hate these threads. It remiands me when DD1 had bronciolitus and was taken straight to resus. It was like a scene from Casualty. Really, really scaring. As Skip says, little ones can go downhill very very fast.

PS in case I've worried anyone, DD1 was sat up in bed, eating shepherd pie later that day. They do bounce back just as fast!

Original poster
suwoo · 13/11/2009 17:20

No, not gone. Just waiting for DH to come home. He isn't working as hard now. Dr not at all concerned yesterday was very dismissive.

OP posts:
muxlo · 13/11/2009 17:22

Go straight to A&E with any signs of laboured breathing. Young babies in particular have to work so hard to breathe that they soon become exhausted.

I went to the GP with DD and during the 20 min wait to see him she went downhill so fast that he called an ambulance. She was fine after a day or so though.

Hope he's better soon.

LIZS · 13/11/2009 17:23

please take him asap , they can decline fast . Bronchiolitis is very common and most cases passes quickly but others suddenly becoem mroe serious.

SkipToMyLou · 13/11/2009 17:24

Go with your instincts! How do his lips look - if they're at all bluish then you need to get moving. It really is worth checking, I know it's a hassle as I was in and out constantly with DS when he was little, but I doubt the hospital staff will be dismissive. If it helps, I was told by ambulance staff that they NEVER mind coming out for children, they say you can never be too careful, and even when DS has seemed better they've always insisted on taking him to hospital. Not that I'm suggesting you call an ambulance, unless he gets suddenly worse!

3littlefrogs · 13/11/2009 17:27

Go now. Please.

posieparker · 13/11/2009 17:27

I understand that if they pull in at the throat (below where an adams apple would be) and the ribs and tummy you need to get them seen.

Northernlurker · 13/11/2009 17:31

Suwoo - was he using the extra muscles and now he isn't then? How is his colour? I think you need to ring for an ambulance tbh.

AuntieMaggie · 13/11/2009 17:33

please go - this can turn vry serious very quickly in babies

Northernlurker · 13/11/2009 17:33

Sorry don't think I was clear enough - it could be that he's better than he was or it could be that he's tiring. We don't know, you don't know so please call an ambulance who will know!

posieparker · 13/11/2009 17:38

Please go.

Tryingtobeorganisedthisyear · 13/11/2009 17:39

Definatly go - DS had it on and off last winter and different dr's kept sending us away...until one diagnosed pneumonia and we were hospital for week! Not worth the risk really

Hope the little one gets better soon x

BertieBotts · 13/11/2009 17:42

Go and don't forget to take food for you or at least some money. Good luck

KirstyJC · 13/11/2009 17:49

My DS (12 mo) had this and the doctor on the phone was very dismissive. I called back in the middle of the night 'cos he wouldn't settle and that was unusual for him, they told me to take him to hospital and he was admitted and put on oxygen for the whole night and some of the following morning.

His lips were fine, not blue anywhere, just fast breathing and the pulling-in-chest thing when breathing. But he needed emergency treatment. He was discharged the next day and back at nursery 2 days later, right as rain.

It is hard to tell how they are when they are little as they are very resiliant. Go to the hospital - take an overnight bag for you both and some money.

Don't assume your GP knows what he/she is doing!! (Sorry to all GPs, sure some of you do)

JodieO · 13/11/2009 17:53

Definitely go or call an ambulence. Don't mess about with a 15 weeks old baby. NOONE at a&e would mind that you took him in, they would see him quickly being so young and would much rather you took him to be on the safe side than not. TBH it sounds like he really needs to be seen anyway. Please go tonight!

hifi · 13/11/2009 17:54

take an overnight bag for both of you, i had to stay in for 4 days.good luck.

Northernlurker · 13/11/2009 17:59

I hope you are ok and are being seen or are on your way.