Child with Covid - when do I worry?

[myamie]

DS (9) has just tested positive.

Started being a bit off but nothing too out of the ordinary on Thursday, fine Friday, yesterday headache and pain in chest, today the cough started.

He's just got up wheezing and struggling to breathe. Calmed him down and he's breathing more ok now.

I just want to know what is 'normal' for a child with Covid? What were your experiences?

For anyone struggling to breath you need to call 999

Better safe than sorry op. Do you have an oximeter?

His reading was 96 just now on the oximeter.

He's not struggling now. I think he was panicking.

I'll be sleeping in his room tonight I think.

I think they would want to see a child with sats of 96. Hope they are ok.

I'd call for advice for anything more than "bad cold" symptoms in a child

I would ring 111. I don’t trust oximeters and certainly not if you’ve got darker skin.
If you feel in your gut something isn’t right, then listen to it.

I've been advised that if a child's oxygen levels dips to below 95 you should seek medical help. If you're worried at all though call 111, or 999 if you're very worried. Trust your gut. Hope he gets better soon.

Agree with others saying phone for advice. Breathing difficulties should be monitored.

OP, sats of 96 are totally fine, don’t let the post above worry you! (as long as he is not breathing very fast to keep his sats at those levels and will get exhausted before too long). There is a range of normal - don’t need to worry from a sats point of view unless persistently lower than 92 (definitely if below 90 at any point). But I would have a low threshold for A and E or 999 for any child who seems to be struggling to breathe with COVID - hopefully just panic as you say but don’t be frightened to seek medical assistance if you get worried)

I’d be ringing 999 - 96 and an episode of struggling to breathe would send the panic into me. You can’t be too careful.

Another one saying 96 is not 999 worthy. Keep a close eye on things but I wouldn't panic just yet.

@myamie how did things work out?

Oxygen levels of 96 in a child is normal. If you can see your child's stomach is sucking in under the ribs then they are struggling and you need to ring 999.

Sorry I thought this was a recent thread. Hope all went well.