9mth baby- how do I know if its chest infection or cough?

[gingerbreadlatte]

Hi

My nearly 9mth DD is on 2nd cold in as many weeks. This one started straight away with chesty cough then after that the streaming nose. She still has both symptoms 3 days later and the chesty cough sounds really loose and nasty.

How do I know if its a chest infection? She doesnt have a temp and seems ok inself- is eating but is very tired and clingy.

thanks- I dont want to bother doctors unnecessarily- but want to get it sorted before the weekend if she needs medicine.

I think if it was an infection she'd have a remperature, that's how I'd judge it if she were mine

You can't always judge for yourself whether there's an infection or not - mine have had what sound like hideous coughs but were fine and vice versa.

And with a bad cold her ears could be bothering her (excessive clinginess can be a sign of this).

Don't think twice about having her checked over - reassuring yourself is not wasting your doc's time.

< old granny emoticon >

I'd probably advise that if she has a temperature, is wheezing or producing loads of thick green phlegm to definitely get her checked out. Otherwise follow your instincts - if concerned there's no harm in getting her checked over.

bump

opps sorry about the bump, I must have not refreshed properly before posting.

I will see how she is after her nap.

thanks for comments

I read your post concerning your baby being very tired and clingy due to a very bad cold. How is the baby now?

My 11 month old had the same and was diagnosed with a case of pneumonia. We brought her back for a follow up (the 2nd appointment). Her lungs checked OK. Still has the nasty chest cough and runny nose. And is very tired and always sleeping. The first appointment they gave her a shot of antibiotics and a breathing machine with some liquid medicine to use to help her to breath and clear her lungs. She is also taking an oral antibiotic. Our baby is also clingy when she is awake. Normally she is energetic, laughing, or making noises. I guess the bad cold is using her energy. We were concerned because she seemd to be sleeping a lot. We do wake her to eat. She stays awake a bit then right back to sleep. Still coughing too. Hope to hear your follow up.