Chest infection, Getting upset & gasping for breath - help!

[ohnelly]

Hi all DS is 4 years old & has a chest infection/wheezy dry cough. I know they are always worse at night, but when he woke up he was really wheezing and coughing and finding it hard to breathe. DH was out at work (night shift) and I am 35 weeks pregnant with DS2.
I managed to calm him down eventually & he went back to sleep. I lay there listening to him wheezing before eventually dropping off too.
I am taking him to the doctors today as I dont want another night like last night. He was getting really upset & it scared me that he couldnt breathe. I did consider taking him to hospital but didnt think having him wheezing in the car seat while I was driving was a particulary good idea (30 min drive at least).
Has anyone got any advice? I sat him in the bathroom with hot taps running to try & get some steam in the room, put bowl of water by the radiator and he has plug in vicks vapour next to his bed. I was trying not to panic, but just felt a horrible feeling coming over me that he was going to stop breathing (he didnt)It didnt help that im heavily pregnant & thought every twinge was going to be the baby coming! Help!!!

tbh if he is still wheezing, chect working hard, or is sucking in around neck/collorbone and under chest/ribcage then get him to hospital.

like this

Id second the hospital too.

BUT if you are sure to stay awake and can do this safely it really helps...

bring the kettle upstairs to his room filled with water plug it in and put it to boil -as it boils take the lid off....the kettle will continue to boil and fill the air with the damp steam.

Obviously you have to be really careful doing this but it does help a lot.

Thanks Misdee I will look out for those signs on the video. Ive got doctors appointment this morning for him, he seems better today but I supect he may get worse at night again. I was thinking it could possibly be asthma but wasnt sure

If he's like that again call NHS direct - if you can't get to a hospital they may send a doctor to see him or call an ambulance.

Take him to your local A&E now rather than hang around for NHS direct or your GP.

I will try that nickschick - the bathroom didnt get steamy very quickly at all but that sounds a better idea

Hope hes better tonight ohnelly,our ds was rushed into hospital several time with very bad asthma ....in fact the forst attack he was hospitalised for 5 days and not being overdramatic it was lifethreatening- scarey thing was that very same morning wed been to see the dr got ventolin gone to the seaside and got a train home less than 5 hours later he collapsed playing ball with his daddy and ended up in a hospital bed.

If you are at all concerned tonight dial 999.

Hi all he does seem better & has gone to bed with no problems. Took him to doctors - said he may have slight chest infection but didnt give him anything. He said to put a damp towel on the radiator to keep air moist which I thought was a good tip.
At least DH is home with me tonight so if we need to take him to hospital I can sit in the back with him while DH drives.
Thanks all & your right Pixie if in doubt I will take him - better to be safe

Hi I suggest putting Vicks vapour on his feet and put socks on going to bed as it stains sheets. It works for 3 yr old DS. Also put an unpeeled onion in a bowl in his room which will absorb bacteria. My 3yr old had a cough from sept to christmas when the GP prescribed some homeopathic remedy and within 24 hrs I saw a great improvement. I suggest you visit a homeapath. Good Luck.