tonsillitus, and now wheezing with asthma

[tigi]

Should I worry? ds (age 5) was diagnosed on Sat as having tonsillitus (was very poorly with it - sleepy/hot/achy/no appetite) is on antibiotics since sat - amoyxillin, and now tonight has started coughing and a bit of a wheeze, He hasn't had an asthma attack for 2 months. is it connected do you think?

[princesscc]

I'm not a doctor so I couldn't be sure, but I would think so. Poor little thing, is he better than he was though? Do you have the necessary pumps etc?

[dolally]

don't know tiggy,probably is connected.

My dd(11) has mild asthma but terrible at the mo with hayfever, AND wheezing sore chest. Not quite sure myself what to give her.

But would it be a good idea to check back with your doc just in case he's allergic to the antibiotics or whatever?

[TheArmadillo]

probably ime.

Whenever any of us (all asthmatic) get a virus it makes our asthma a bit worse. But as its only started since the antibiotics I would keep an eye on it and if it starts getting worse take him back to the dr.

It may just be that the tonsillitus has exhausted him and that has made it worse, but its worth watching.

Sorry to hear your ds has been so poorly.

[3littlefrogs]

Could well be connected. Have you increased his preventer inhaler? mine always got worse when they had a cold and I soon learned to increase their inhalers until the cold was better.

[princesscc]

Was it you who didn't get on very well with NHS Direct as well? Maybe give them a quick ring, see what they think.

[tigi]

thanks for your replies. I posted a couple of days ago, as didn't know what was up with him - sleepy hot etc, and just kept waiting for him to start a cold, or be sick etc, but he didn't! Took him to a&e in end as docs closed for weekend. I was amazed tonsilitus could affect you so badly! He hadn't even said his throat hurt! He has perked up with the anti biotics, and started to eat. He's not hot anymore, but still very tired (to tired to walk anywhere). He had been having asthma attacks every month , which i can control), but he has bow gone 2 + months, so was pleased! He is asleep now, but can hear him coughing too. I haven't increased his preventor inhalor as i haven't been told by doc that i could.

[Mistymoo]

I was told by pharmacist that when your body is fighting something it often leads to asthma flaring up as your body is fighting something else. Have you been told to increase his preventative if he does get a bad chest?

[Mistymoo]

x post

My ds increases his prventative if his peak flow drops. Sometimes its only for a few days and then he's back to normal. I'm sure it would be OK for you to do but if you are worried phone for advice.

[3littlefrogs]

I would advise you to see your GP or asthma nurse to discuss what strategies you can use to manage the asthma at times of illness or other stress. If you can prevent attacks happening that is so much better than treating it after it has got worse. (Every child is different, but ds2 always deteriorated when he had a cold). Tonsillitis is horrid and there has been so much of it about recently. If he is wheezing I would speak to NHSdirect.

[allieBongo]

my dd has just spent 2 days in hospital after an awful asthma attack, there were a couple of children in there with acute tonsilitis. it appears to be doing the rounds

[3littlefrogs]

Do you check his peak flow regularly?

[tigi]

he's never had his peak flow checked - they said he was too little.
he started having attacks last July, out of the blue (prev he had night coughs, was tired a lot, and then started to get breathless when running in the playground at nursery). he has just turned 5.

[3littlefrogs]

It sounds as if you have 2 situations here. The immediate one is more important - and that is that if he is wheezing and unwell, apart from the tonsillitis, then you need to get advice either from GP or NHSdirect, in case he gets worse overnight.
Once you have the current situation under control, then you can ask about seeing the asthma nurse or whoever deals with asthma about getting to grips with monitoring his peak flow, and how to manage the inhalers etc. He should be able to do his peak flow at 5. Mine were taught to do theirs at 3, and I had to keep a diary, which really helped my confidence in knowing how to manage them. However - don't worry about that now - as long as you get some professional advice tonight. Hope he feels better soon.