will my toddlers croup infect our new baby

[alismummy]

I took my ds (2.4) to the doctors. He diagnosed croup and said my dd (2 weeks old) would probably get it. Also told me that if there were any serious breathing difficulties, to go to a and e. I am now really scared as she is so little. Has anyone else been in this situation?

Croup is caused by one of several viruses, so it isn't in itself contagious but the virus would be. RSV is one such common cold virus and can cause also Bronchiolitis, with breathing problems, lethargy , poor feeding and sickiness among the symptoms. It is a major cause of hospitalisation in under 1 's and while the virus can't be treated the symptoms can with humidifed air, fluids for dehydration etc. dd had it at 3 months and was poorly but fortunately we could treat her at home and she recovered within a week or so.

Try not to worry , but be alert as the dr advised.

hth

thankyou Lizs. that does help. my son had bronchioilitis too when he was 10 months, and always gets bad coughs, which is probably why i'm so worried for dd.
does this mean that some kids react worse than others to the rsv virus? i would love her to escape with just a sniffle.

Massive sympathies, I've just brought new ds home to dd2 who had been in hospital with a virus, and then both dds got chickenpox after we had been home only three days. I know how terrifying it is.

Your dd will probably have a big dollop of immunity from you, which will help. I am not as clued up about croup as LIZS but all three of ours have had colds within 2 mo of birth and have sailed through them, besides throwing up a bit of their feeds eveyr now and then. And a friend of mine had a huge dose of flu when her ds was only a few weeks' old and he didn't catch it.

Can you have a chat with your hv? IME they see so much that doctors don't and she may be able to reassure you, mine was much better on the CP than my gp - she said he'd get a mild dose, which he did. And when dd2 had her cold as a newborn another doctor sent us to a&e who looked at us like we were mad and sent us home again!

I do agree, be vigilant (things like handwashing can help, too) but don't panic. Wishing you well from someone who has been there!

thankyou nearlythree. i spoke to my hv. she was positive. feel better now