What is the difference between a cough and a chest infection?

[2nervesleft]

Ds nearly 2 has had tempreture and very chesty cough since yesterday. Not sure whether he needs antibiotics. Whenever I have taken him in the past it never is an infection which has made me doubt what to do now. Are there any tell tale signs that it has become infected?

coughing up phlegm is usually a sign of an infection (though not always present).

Laboured breathing is a sign of a chest infection. Look at his chest when he breathes. IMO always best to get it looked at with a temp.

it could be an ear infection - took ds2 to docs today with same symptoms as yours and this is what he has. Doc said that ear infections can be caused by colds - eustachian tube gets blocked by catarrh (sp?), can't drain and infection can set in. would def get him checked if he has a temp

Raspy breathing and temp.

I'd take him in. The GP can hear it with a stethoscope.

DD1 is just finishing a course of antibiotics for a chest infection.

Thanks, I will book him an appt for the morning. I thought it would have started to ease by now but no sign of him getting better. In fact he has just woken again and I need to get him into my bed for a decent sleep. So night all, thanks for your help. Phatcat hope your ds is better soon.

Ok, despite the draggy sounding chest the painful cough and the high temp it is not a chest infection. I'm glad of course but this must be the 4th or 5th time i've taken one of my kids thinking theu have a chest infection and it isn't. Think the GP's think I'm a loon. Apparently he is croupy? He needs steam and calpol.

Does anyone have a fail safe way to tell if you lo's need anitbiotics or not?

Most coughs, including croup, are viral in origin so ab's don't work. With a chest infection they are generally unwell too and have problems breathing , so look for wheezing, raspy voice, sucking in chest around ribs when breathing, but even then it could be viral rather than bacterial (they can do a blood test to check if needs be). However 24 hours isn't really a long time unless it affects breathing and/or causes dehydration, although it seems it at the time The temperature should subside with calpol and time and humidified air(steam , dmap washing on radiators etc) helps open up the airways. Also make sure he has a pillow in bed(or under mattress) if it is worse at night and a vaporiser and/or olbas oil, vicks etc. Hope he feels better soon.

Thanks LIZS

My dd had a high temperature and had no appetite when she had a chest infection, Gut feeling told me it was not a normal cough - go with your instict