3 yr old suspected chest infection. Please help with advice, A&E now or gp tomorrow

[Cluelessmamaa]

I posted earlier worrying about water causing a cough!

Now dd is sleeping I can hear crackling and the top part of abdomen is really sucking in when breathing. I mean it’s very visible up and down but this is the first time I’ve ever paid attention to it . cough is really phlegmy now.

since today dd has been very poorly not playing, sleepy with cuddles, off food. She then developed a temperature I think as she was very hot but couldn’t find thermometer. I gave neurofen and then checked temp maybe 30-49 mins after as I found it and it was 37.8

shes just rolled over onto her front and I don’t hear crackle just the mucus rattling sound.

Sorry for short sentences I wanted to post quickly but give enough info x

I would go for GP with 37.8 and child is sleeping. I would give paracetamol again after 6 hours if needed.

Ask 111 for advice if you are in doubt.

Thank you @MumChp i will contact them tomorrow. I was just concerned about her breathing tonight but I will be up anyways and ready to call 111 if needed. Thank you x

I would actually go to hospital with those symptoms. If she is still working hard to breathe, as a minimum call 111. If not then GP tomorrow. My DC have had lots of chest issues and sometimes they need a bit of help from steroids or oxygen as well as antibiotics. You're not wasting anyone's time getting her checked over.

Disclaimer: none of us can see your child, and you don’t know anyone’s qualifications.

what you are describing, with the top of the abdomen sucking in is a sign of respiratory distress. This seems to have come on quickly, with you saying she’s only been unwell today. I would think it would be safer to get checked out tonight. There’s a lot of respiratory stuff going round in kids at the moment, and some of it’s quite serious.

If she is struggling to breathe and sucking in as you say I'd take her to a&e now to be checked/monitored as she might need a bit of help. Better safe than sorry.

My daughter has had this a few times and if in doubt I've taken her in. She was admitted and given oxygen as required which ultimately helped as it gave her body time to regroup/rest as she wasn't having to work do hard to breathe.

Anything with kids 111 will suggest hospital.

Agree with others re. 111. My DD had rsv and bronchiolitis. The tipping point for us to go to A&E was belly breathing. Watch a video and see if she’s doing it. Her breathing also sounded like she was breathing through an inhaler. Hope your little one is ok. So scary when they are sick like that. When In doubt call.

Sucking in under the ribs? Hospital

Sucking in sounds like respiratory distress which is an emergency and you should go to the hospital.

My DD2 had this at age three (now nine). I took her to a GP, the GP called an ambulance. Please, take her to A&E ASAP. My DD2 was given oxygen by the GP and then more oxygen in the ambulance. Despite her oxygen levels being low, my DD2 still pretty much ran out of the ambulance to find the kids’ play area at A&E. It’s always a hard call to make and there is very much a culture of not wanting to add to the burden of the NHS because we know how broken it is. Your child is very sick and is in respiratory distress.

the top part of abdomen is really sucking in when breathing any visible difficulty breathing is a medical emergency. Go to A&E now and describe that symptom clearly.

OP you should not follow this incorrect advice - the issue is the breathing, not the temperature.

Good morning,
peadiatrician here. If LO is peacefully sleeping on their tummy I would leave them. If they wake with noisey breathing or stuggling for breath then A&E ( agree I wouldn't mess about with 111 with a young child with breathing problems). I hope you both managed to get some sleep and they are better this am. In most A&Es small child + breathing problems= being seen quickly 💐

Hello, I just wanted to update. I got a GP appointment in the morning as I didn’t hear anymore crackle and she was sleeping on tummy. I was really concerned about the top part of tummy as it was really going in but wasn’t sure if I was being ultra paranoid.

GP said it was ok! But at the appointment it wasn’t going in and out like it did during the night, maybe because she was lying down so it was more pronounced? Anyways she did prescribe an inhaler because there was a lot of wheeze.
GP also pointed out the exact parts of the body I should look for when worried about sucking in so I have made a mental note and will remember that for future and hopefully won’t panic so much on Mumsnet 😅

DD had last temp last night, still running warm but no temp and is starting to speak/ play so glad to see she’s recovering.
I feel so silly for worrying so much, the symptoms are so much more worse at night I can’t help but worry more! I don’t have a partner so I just wanted to check with someone. Apologies for panicking and thank you all for lovely advice.
I know there’s a lot more illnesses to come so will take all advice on board and hopefully relax a bit more. Thank you x