How to tell if your child is breathing too fast

Breathing problems to look out for in children

Breathing problems in children can have a number of different causes. This page tells you what signs to look out for in your child and what they might mean.

Call 999 now if your child has any of these breathing-related symptoms:

Your child is having severe difficulty breathing

Your child is grunting with the effort of trying to breathe, their nostrils may flare in and out and they may be pursing their lips

The muscles under their ribs are sucking in with each breath

Fast breathing

Your child won’t wake up, or won’t stay awake

Your child’s breathing stops for 20 seconds or longer on one occasion, or there are regular shorter pauses in their breathing

They have very pale or blue skin, or the inside of their lips and tongue are blue

Fitting, if they have never had a fit before

Does your child have?

a runny nose, blocked nose and sneezing
a cough
breathing problems
a high temperature
drowsiness (more sleepy than usual)
problems with feeding and drinking
aches and pains, sore throat, earache
coloured phlegn (mucus)
a change in skin colour

Runny nose, blocked nose and sneezing

A runny nose, blocked nose and sneezing are usually caused by a cold. If your child has a cold, they may also have a high temperature.

Sometimes it’s caused by an allergy – this is often called hay fever. Asthma is more common in children with allergy symptoms.

If your child’s runny or blocked nose, or their sneezing is caused by allergies, they may have problems sleeping too. It’s unusual to have a high temperature when a runny or blocked nose is caused by allergies.

If your child’s runny nose smells, or is bloody, there may be something in your child’s nose – you should seek medical advice.

Coughing

Everyone coughs from time to time. A cough helps clear the airway of mucus and things like dust and smoke. An occasional cough is not usually a sign of anything serious.

More persistent coughs can be because of a cold or viral infection that usually clears up in a few days. Some coughs carry on for a few weeks after the infection has cleared. Common cough medicines do not stop coughing and are not recommended for children. If your child is older than one year, you could give them honey to help soothe their throat. The NHS has advice on making a warm drink of honey and lemon.

Honey must not be given to infants under 12 months, as it can contain bacteria that might produce toxins in a baby’s intestines.

Occasionally, coughing can be a symptom of another condition that will need advice from a doctor. Seek help from your doctor if your child is coughing:

and has a high temperature
and wheezing (noisy breathing that sounds like high pitched whistling)
and is having difficulty breathing, not able to do their usual activities, or isn’t eating or drinking normally and vomiting afterwards
in periods that last over a minute several times a day, or
for longer than three to four weeks.

It will help doctors and nurses if you can video the cough on your mobile phone. This is because different coughs are signs of different conditions:

croup (barking cough)
bronchiolitis (raspy and moist cough)
whooping cough (bouts of coughing where your child may bring up mucus or vomit. They may gasp after coughing, or make a whooping noise)
asthma (usually a dry cough). If your child has asthma they may cough more at night. Symptoms might also be brought on by hot or humid weather, cold or damp air, smoke, exercise, or emotions – read more about asthma triggers
long term conditions like cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) (constant wet or rattly cough)

Breathing problems

It’s important to seek help if your child is breathing differently than usual.

What do breathing difficulties look like?

Breathing may be faster than usual or irregular

Your child’s nostrils may flare (get wider) when they breathe

They may wheeze when breathing out

They may make a high-pitched sound when breathing in (stridor)

They may make a grunting sound when breathing out - Call 999 if this happens

The muscles under their ribs may suck in with each breath - Call 999 for urgent medical help.

Read more about when to call 999 about your child's breathing and when to go to the doctor.

Fast breathing

This can be a sign of an infection of the lungs, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. All children are different, and the main thing to watch out for is if your child is constantly breathing faster than usual, or is rapidly breathing, struggling with their breathing and panting.

Wheezing

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that comes from the chest, usually when your child is breathing out. If your child is well enough, a video on your mobile phone is a very helpful way of showing the nurse or doctor what’s happening. Wheezing is a common symptom of asthma.

Breathlessness or difficulty breathing

If your child is breathless or has difficulty breathing that becomes worse over a few hours, it could be a sign of an asthma attack. However, wheezing can have many causes, so it doesn’t always mean your child has asthma.

Remember: always seek urgent medical advice if your child is having difficulty breathing.

Pneumonia and chest infections can also cause breathlessness and fast breathing. Children usually have a fever with these conditions.

Difficulty breathing during exercise can be a sign of asthma. Talk to your child’s GP if you think your child may have asthma.

Sudden and unexpected breathlessness

If your child has sudden or unexpected breathlessness, or difficulty in breathing, it could mean they have something blocking their airway (breathing pipe) and are choking.

The NHS has guidance on stopping a child from choking. If your child is choking, call 999.

High temperature

A fever is a high temperature. In children, a temperature of 38C and over (100.4F) is considered high. If your child has a high temperature, they might:

feel hotter than usual on their back or chest
feel sweaty
look or feel unwell.

You can check their temperature using a digital thermometer.

What’s causing my child’s fever?

A high temperature can be a sign of infection – including infections in the upper respiratory tract (ears, or nose or throat such as with a cold) and lungs (chest infection). Fever helps children and adults to fight infection.

Your child’s fever could also be caused by other illnesses or by routine vaccinations.

In itself, a fever is not dangerous. It is the cause of the fever that is the concern. Always seek medical advice if you are worried.

Treating a fever at home

If your child has a high temperature, you can usually look after them at home. It should go down over three or four days. Make sure you:

give them plenty of fluids and watch out for signs of dehydration – these are seeming drowsy, having few or no tears when they cry, having a dry mouth, having dark yellow pee or if they haven’t peed in the last 12 hours
give them food if they want it
keep them at home if they go to nursery or school
give them paracetamol if they’re feeling unwell (ask a pharmacist if you’re not sure what to give your baby or child)
know when to seek medical help

Keep your child in light cotton clothing and in a cool room. It’s important you do not completely undress your child or try sponging them down with cold water to cool them down. This will cool their skin and make them shiver, and this can make their temperature rise even higher. You also should not cover them up in too many clothes or too much bedding.

NHS advice on fever

The NHS website has more information on high temperature and fever. You should seek urgent help if your child:

is under three months and has a temperature of 38C (101F) or over
is 3-6 months old and has a temperature of 39C (102F) or over.

Contact your GP for an urgent appointment. Out of hours, call NHS 111 (in England and Scotland), NHS 111 Wales or 0845 46 47 (in Wales) or your local out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland.

The NHS also suggests you should always get medical help for your child of any age who has a high temperature if:

you think your child may be dehydrated
your child develops a red rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it
your child has a fit
your child doesn’t stop crying
the fever lasts for more than five days
your child’s health is getting worse
you’re concerned about looking after your child at home.

Drowsiness

If your child has a high temperature (fever) they may also be drowsy or confused.

Children with a high temperature often lack interest or are more sleepy or irritable than usual. They usually improve after taking children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen to bring their temperature down. If you’re not sure what medicine to give your child, talk to a pharmacist.

Seek urgent help from your GP or health visitor if your child is drowsy and:

has symptoms of breathing difficulty
doesn’t improve after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Out of hours, call NHS 111 (in England and Scotland), NHS 111 Wales or 0845 46 47 (in Wales) or your local out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland.

Call 999 if you're unable to wake your child or, if woken up, they are very drowsy and don't stay awake.

Problems with feeding and drinking

Problems with feeding and drinking can be a sign of a problem with the lungs and airways.

Your child may not be feeding or drinking well if:

they have an infection and a high temperature
they are struggling to feed and breathe at the same time.

Seek help if your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding (around a half to three quarters less than they normally would) or having dry nappies for 12 hours or longer.

You should seek urgent help if your child is showing signs of dehydration. These could be seeming drowsy, having few or no tears when they cry, having a dry mouth, having dark yellow pee or if they haven’t peed in the last 12 hours. They may need to go to hospital to make sure they get enough fluids.

Aches and pains

Chest pain, headaches and other aches and pains can be symptoms of a chest infection.

A tight, sore chest can also be a sign of asthma.

Babies and small children don’t usually complain about aches and pains. But they might be irritable if you pick them up.

If your child is older, they might say, ‘My chest’s hurting’ or ‘I’ve got a tummy ache’. Younger children might rub their tummy as well.

Talk to a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for advice on how to treat aches and pains in your child.

Coloured mucus

Mucus (phlegm) protects your child’s airways. It traps dust and germs and carries them out of their lungs.

Mucus can be a problem if it doesn’t work properly or if there’s too much of it. A build-up of mucus in your child’s airways is called catarrh.

Young children usually swallow their mucus so you may not know what colour it is.

But if you are able to see it, yellow, green or brown mucus is a sign of infection or allergy. It might not be serious or need treatment. For example, green mucus running from their nose can be caused by mild infections that don’t need antibiotics.

Talk to your child’s doctor if you’re concerned about the colour of their mucus, or if you think there’s too much of it.

A change in skin colour

A change in your child’s skin colour may mean they do not have enough oxygen in their blood or their circulation is poor.

Call 999 now if:

your child’s skin is very pale and they have other symptoms of an infection or difficulty breathing
your child’s skin looks blue
the inside of their lips and tongue are blue.

Next: information on respiratory tract infections

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Signs That Children Are Struggling To Breathe

Know the signs and the different noises babies and children can make when they are having trouble breathing. That way you can act fast and get help.

How do I know if my child is struggling to breathe?

If your baby or child is struggling to breathe, see a doctor urgently.

Babies

Babies who are struggling to breathe may not be able to feed as well or as long as they usually do.

What will I see or hear when I look at my baby?

fast breathing
sucking or pulling in under the ribcage
sucking or pulling in between each rib
using the muscles around the neck during breathing - this can make it look like your baby's head is bobbing up and down
flaring of the nostrils - the nostrils move out as your baby breathes
extra noises when breathing in or out or both

If your baby looks blue, is very drowsy or has pauses in their breathing, dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help.

Check the following video to see an 8-month-old baby who is breathing fast with flaring of their nostrils and pulling in under the ribcage.

Children

What will I see or hear when I look at my child?

fast breathing
sucking or pulling in under the ribcage
sucking or pulling in between each rib
using the muscles around the neck during breathing
flaring of the nostrils - the nostrils move out as your child breathes
extra noises when breathing in or out or both
so breathless they can only speak a few words at a time

If your child looks blue, is agitated or drowsy or can only speak one or 2 words, dial 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help.

Check the following video to see a 2-year-old who is breathing fast and sucking or pulling in between each rib.

Check the following video to see a 3 year old sucking or pulling in between each rib.

Check the following video to see a 3 year old using the muscles around the neck during breathing.

What are the different noises that babies or children can make when they are struggling to breathe?

Wheeze

Wheezing is a musical, whistly sound that children make, usually when breathing out. It can also happen when they breathe in. The sound comes from the chest, not from the nose or throat. It can happen if your child has a condition like bronchiolitis or asthma or viral wheeze.

Check the following video to see and hear an 8-month-old baby who is breathing fast - their head is bobbing and they are wheezing and sucking in under their ribs.

Stridor

Stridor is a harsh noise your child might make when breathing in. It can happen if your child has a condition like croup.

Check the following videos to hear what stridor sounds like.

Grunting

A grunt or a moan or a short sigh is a noise your child might make when breathing out. It can happen if your child has a condition like pneumonia.

Check the following video to hear an 8-month-old baby grunting and wheezing.

Acknowledgements

how and when to call an ambulance for a child

Some parents hesitate to call an ambulance when they have a fever, and some call 03 at the slightest ailment. Experts identify seven main reasons for calling the SMP to a child:

1. Breathing problems (shortness of breath)

The essence of shortness of breath is a violation of the supply of a sufficient amount of oxygen to the body, and an attempt to compensate for this violation by more intense breathing. Shortness of breath most often develops due to aspiration (inhaled and choked) of a foreign body, bronchial asthma, an upper respiratory tract infection, or pneumonia. Signs of shortness of breath: cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing (especially flaring of the wings of the nose, and use of the chest and neck muscles for the act of breathing), grunting, interruptions in speech, or blue skin.

Ø The child's respiratory rate is more than 50-60 breaths per minute

Ø The child has a sharp cyanosis around the mouth

Ø These symptoms do not improve over time, or even increase.

2. Broken bones

In most cases, parents can easily deliver the child to the emergency department on their own.

Ø The child is writhing in pain, you cannot relieve it with antipyretic syrup or a candle

Ø A piece of bone sticks out just under the skin

Ø Injury touches the head or neck

Ø The child has an altered level of consciousness (for example, excessively inhibited).

3. Severe dehydration

The most common causes of severe dehydration are vomiting and/or diarrhea. Not every vomiting or diarrhea requires calling an emergency medical service; it is usually sufficient to give the child frequent and fractional water to compensate for the loss of fluid and salts.

Ø The child does not answer you, or answers inadequately

Ø The child is writhing with severe spasms and unrelenting pain in the abdomen (this may indicate appendicitis, kidney stones and other dangerous conditions).

4. Seizure attack

In infants and preschoolers, a rapid rise in temperature can cause febrile seizures. Most fever-related seizures are not an emergency. Seizures that occur without fever usually have a more serious prognosis.

Ø Seizure lasts more than three to five minutes

Ø The child has difficulty breathing or turns blue

Ø After the seizure has stopped, the child cannot return to his normal mental state.

5. Falls

A fall from a great height is especially dangerous with an injury to the head, spine, or internal organs. If you suspect a head injury, talk to your child and make sure they answer questions adequately.

Ø The child has vomited more than once since the injury.

Ø He loses consciousness

Ø The child complains of numbness or tingling in the body

Ø You have reason to suspect damage to internal organs

Ø You have reason to suspect a neck or spinal injury. In the event of a possible neck or spinal injury, do not attempt to move your child. Ambulance staff will fix the spine before transporting the child to the hospital.

6. Cuts and bleeding

If your child is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound, wait for the bleeding to stop, and assess the extent of the damage. Children who need sutures usually do not need to call the emergency medical service - they may well be taken to the emergency room of surgery by their parents.

Ø Your child has a disease that interferes with blood clotting

Ø You can't stop the bleeding.

7. Suspicion of poisoning

In this situation, an ambulance should be called as soon as you find the symptoms of poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, confusion. If you understand that the child got to the medicines and swallowed some of them, call an ambulance and look for the packages from the medicines. You will need to tell the doctors the name of the drug and the approximate amount that the child could swallow.

Emergencies

Cough

Cough is probably the most common problem parents face. Very often, a cough, even if it sounds scary, has a harmless cause and goes away on its own. Sometimes coughing is a serious symptom. Let's try to figure out how to behave when a child coughs and when to start sounding the alarm.

What is a cough?

Cough is a protective reflex designed to clear the airways. During a cough push, the air abruptly leaves the lungs and forces everything that interferes with breathing - sputum and foreign bodies - to come out. If you think about the mechanism of coughing, it becomes clear that it is far from always necessary to “suppress” it.

What causes and what does a cough look like?

The most common cause of cough is a viral infection. Viruses can cause damage to the respiratory tract at different levels - from the nose (with a common cold) to the bronchi, bronchioles and lungs, and coughing is a common symptom in all these diseases. For example, sore throat and nasal discharge flowing down the back of the throat irritate the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and stimulate the cough reflex. Due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, a dry, hacking cough occurs, which will definitely pass without treatment, but in the acute period it can be quite frequent and painful, and even disrupt night's sleep. A runny nose and discharge along the back of the throat provoke a wet cough, while the child begins to cough when changing position of the body, especially in the morning and at night when he gets up, lies down or rolls over. If the virus infects the mucous membrane of the larynx, a false croup develops, that is, swelling and, as a result, narrowing of the lumen of the larynx, which is accompanied by a "barking" cough, hoarseness, and a characteristic noisy breath (the so-called stridor). With inflammation of the bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli - bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia, respectively - sputum accumulates in the lumen of the respiratory tract, swelling of the mucous membrane occurs, resulting in cough and shortness of breath. Unlike viral bronchitis and bronchiolitis, pneumonia is more commonly caused by bacteria and is accompanied by fever in addition to coughing and shortness of breath. In bronchial asthma, bronchospasm and accumulation of thick sputum in them occur after contact with an allergen, which also provokes a cough.

When should an ambulance be called for a child with a cough?

If the child has the following symptoms along with a cough: it is very difficult for the child to breathe: you see that the child is breathing with difficulty, it is difficult for him to speak (or scream, if we are talking about a baby) due to difficulty in breathing, the child has "groaning" or "groaning" breathing;
the child is unconscious and/or has stopped breathing;
the child's lips turned blue.

If the child does not have the most severe symptoms, but the child is concerned, see a doctor. An important sign of trouble is the appearance of the child - if he is lethargic, looks sick and if you cannot attract his attention and catch his eye. Shortness of breath, that is, rapid breathing, accompanied by an effort of the respiratory muscles and retraction of the intercostal spaces and the jugular fossa (depression above the sternum), is a sign that indicates damage to the lower respiratory tract. If you notice shortness of breath in a child, be sure to consult a doctor. Increased body temperature, especially fever above 39- 40 ° C, also requires that the child be examined by a doctor, as cough and fever can be symptoms of pneumonia.

Special attention should be paid to children in the first months of life, because in young children, serious illnesses can be erased, and the condition may worsen suddenly. If you have a fever (that is, if the child's rectal temperature is > 38 ° C) in children under three months old, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Should yellow or greenish sputum cause concern?

Yellow or green sputum does not always indicate a bacterial infection. With viral bronchitis and bronchiolitis, the yellow-green color of sputum is associated with the fact that cells of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which the virus has damaged, enter the sputum. As a new mucous membrane is formed, the desquamated cells come out with sputum, so there is no need to be scared if the child coughs up yellow or even greenish sputum, since in most cases this is a normal manifestation of a viral infection that does not require antibiotics.

What should I do if my child coughs at night?

Most often, nocturnal cough is associated with the fact that when the child lies in bed, discharge from the nose and paranasal sinuses drain into the throat and cause a cough reflex. When a child rolls over in bed or gets up from a horizontal to an upright position, a coughing fit occurs. In such cases, the doctor will prescribe a topical treatment for the child to reduce the runny nose and, as a result, reduce the cough.

Night cough also occurs in the pathology of the lower respiratory tract. Therefore, if your child is concerned about a nighttime cough, consult a doctor.

What if the child coughs to vomit?

If your child has a paroxysmal cough before throwing up, contact your pediatrician as this may be a symptom of whooping cough. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for children in the first months of life. Sometimes whooping cough develops even in children who were vaccinated against it, but a lot of time has passed since the last revaccination.

Some children have a very easy gag reflex and may vomit when they cough, even if the cough is simply due to a runny nose. If vomiting occurs against the background of coughing, feed the child more often, but in small portions.

Prolonged cough

It is not uncommon for a prolonged cough to be caused by several successive viral infections. The child does not have time to recover from one infection and picks up another. In this case, the cough can last for several weeks and greatly frighten parents, although its cause is trivial.

However, a prolonged cough can be associated with allergies, including bronchial asthma, as well as whooping cough and other diseases of the respiratory tract and ENT organs (a chronic cough can even be due to earwax plugs in the ears!), so in case persistent cough, consult your doctor.

How to treat a cough?

Cough can have many causes, and each case is treated differently. Show the child to the doctor to understand what the cough is connected with and how to help the child.

If the cough is accompanied by sputum production (wet, productive cough), sputum production should be stimulated to facilitate expectoration. Give your child more fluids (for example, apple juice or warm chicken broth can be given if age-appropriate and not allergic to these foods). If the air in the children's bedroom is dry, install a humidifier.

Fight non-productive (dry) cough by reducing upper airway irritation. To soften the cough and soothe the airways, give the child a drink of water or apple juice, this also helps with a coughing fit. Avoid giving carbonated drinks or citrus drinks as they can irritate inflamed mucous membranes. If the child is intolerant of honey, try giving it. Children over 6 years old can suck on cough drops. If a cough interferes with sleep, going to kindergarten and school, consult a doctor, he will prescribe an antitussive.

Bath steam can help with a coughing fit. Go into the bathroom, close the door, turn on the hot shower and wait a few minutes. After the bath is filled with steam, go there with the child, sit for about 20 minutes. Try reading a book or playing with the child so that he is distracted.

Smoking is strictly prohibited at home! This contributes to frequent respiratory infections in the child and aggravates their course.

Medicines such as antibiotics and inhalations with bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic drugs are prescribed only by a doctor and are not required in every case.

Fever

Fever is an increase in body temperature over 38 ºС. Some symptoms and laboratory and instrumental studies help to understand the cause of the fever and prescribe the necessary treatment.

If the fever is accompanied by a runny nose, cough, and "red throat", a viral infection is the most likely cause. Since antibiotics have no effect on viruses, antibiotic therapy in case of a viral infection is not prescribed.

High fever (greater than 39°C) with chills should alert. Other symptoms that require immediate medical attention are the refusal of the child to eat and drink, severe lethargy, lack of "eye" contact with the child.

Parents should know how to help a child with a fever .

Only ibuprofen (10 mg/kg per dose) and paracetamol (15 mg/kg per dose) are allowed for use in children. From drugs based on ibuprofen in a pharmacy, you can buy nurofen, and from drugs based on paracetamol - panadol, cefecon, efferalgan. Metamizole sodium (or analgin), including as part of a "lytic mixture", can cause severe blood complications, and nimesulide (nimulide, nise) can cause life-threatening liver damage. If the child does not have a severe background pathology, such as heart disease or epilepsy, and if he satisfactorily tolerates fever (is interested in others, does not refuse to drink, does not complain of pain), antipyretic drugs are given at a temperature of 38.5 - 39ºС and above.

And there is no need to achieve a decrease in body temperature immediately to 36.6 ºС! A good effect is considered to be a decrease in fever to 38 ºС. Safe and effective methods of physical cooling are rubbing with water at room temperature (not alcohol or vinegar!), which allows you to reduce body temperature by 0. 5 - 1.0 ºС in a few minutes. However, if the child has chills, if he has cold hands and feet, rubbing will not be effective. In such cases, massage of the hands and feet helps, which reduces vasospasm and improves peripheral circulation, and antispasmodic drugs, such as no-shpa, are also used.

False croup

In babies, false croup occurs quite often, so mothers need to know about it. Only parents can notice the first signs of a narrowing of the larynx in time and help the child in time. The reason is viral infections. In children under 5 - 6 years of age, the airways are narrower than in adults, and therefore croup develops much more often.

If a baby with a cold has a "barking" cough and a hoarse voice, it is necessary that he breathe steam over hot water in the bathroom. If this does not help, and the breath becomes noisy and difficult, call an ambulance without stopping the inhalation of steam.

What is false croup?

Croup is difficulty in breathing due to constriction of the larynx. To feel where the larynx is, you can put your hand on the front of the neck and make any sound - the larynx will vibrate.

This part of the airway is quite narrow, and if the mucous membrane swells, it can completely block the lumen of the larynx, and air will not enter the lungs. In children under 5 - 6 years of age, the airways are narrower than in adults, and therefore croup develops much more often.

Unlike false, true croup begins with diphtheria, when the lumen of the larynx is blocked by dense films. Thanks to vaccinations (DPT, ADS-M), this disease, fortunately, has become rare.

The cause of false croup is acute viral infections (for example, parainfluenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus). The mucous membrane becomes inflamed, swells, and although films do not form, as in diphtheria, the result is the same - it is difficult for the child to breathe.

How does it all begin?

Usually, the usual symptoms of acute respiratory infections appear first, i. e. runny nose, cough, fever. The first signs of the proximity of a false croup appear or intensify in the evening - this is a growing dry "barking" cough and a hoarse voice.

Then the breath becomes "noisy" - at first only during crying or anxiety, that is, when the baby breathes deeper and faster. After a while, these symptoms persist even in a calm state.

With croup, it is difficult for the baby to inhale exactly, that is, the inhalation turns out to be noisy, with effort, and the exhalation remains normal. During inhalation, you can notice how the jugular fossa (depression in the lower part of the neck between the collarbones) is drawn inward.

Can false croup be prevented?

There are pathogens that most often cause croup: parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus. If a child has contracted this particular infection, the risk of developing croup is high, and, unfortunately, there are no remedies that protect against it.

There are children who tolerate colds without this complication, but in some the mucous membrane is more prone to swelling, and if there has already been one episode of difficulty in breathing with acute respiratory infections, such conditions are likely to recur. Parents need to be ready for them - until the child grows up, and the croup ceases to threaten him.

What to do with false croup?

If you notice its signs, first of all, you need to calm yourself and the child, because when you are excited, the muscles of the larynx contract, and it becomes even harder to breathe.

For a "barking" cough, as long as breathing is silent and not labored, steam inhalation may help. Turn on hot water in the bathroom, let the child breathe in moist air for a few minutes.

If this does not help and breathing becomes difficult (noisy breath, jugular fossa retraction), call an ambulance and continue to do steam inhalation until it arrives. The doctor will prescribe special inhalations with a local hormonal preparation for croup. Don't let the word "hormonal" scare you, because this drug works only in the respiratory tract, eliminating inflammation, and no other medicine for false croup will not be so effective. In severe cases, the doctor will inject a hormone (prednisolone or dexamethasone) intramuscularly. Don't worry about side effects because short cycles of hormones are safe and life-saving in these situations.

If you are offered to hospitalize your child, do not refuse, because after temporary relief, breathing problems may recur.

There are conditions that can be confused with false croup, such as inflammation of the epiglottis (cartilage that closes the larynx when swallowing). This disease is called epiglottitis: the child's temperature rises above 39 degrees, there is a severe sore throat, the mouth is difficult to open, and hormonal preparations do not help the child.

If the epiglottis is inflamed, the child is admitted to the hospital and treated with antibiotics. But this disease is rare, and false croup is caused by viruses, so it makes no sense to take antibiotics.

Is it possible to stop an attack of croup on your own?

If it is not the first time that a child has false croup, you can take home a special device for inhalation - a nebulizer (choose a compressor model, since ultrasound can destroy drugs used for croup). Your doctor will tell you what medication to have at home and how much to use if needed.

The child can return to kindergarten as soon as the body temperature returns to normal and the child feels well.

Vomiting and diarrhea

Acute gastroenteritis is characterized by an increase in body temperature (from subfebrile condition to high fever), vomiting, stool thinning. Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. The most severe is the first episode of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children from 6 months to 2-3 years. The peak incidence of this infection occurs in the winter - spring.

The danger of viral gastroenteritis is associated with rapid dehydration and electrolyte disturbances due to loss of water and salts in loose stools and vomiting. Therefore, feeding the child is of fundamental importance. In order not to provoke vomiting, you need to drink fractionally (1 - 2 teaspoons), but often, if necessary, every few minutes. For convenience, you can use a syringe without a needle or a pipette. In no case should you drink the child with just water, this only exacerbates electrolyte disturbances! There are special saline solutions for drinking - rehydron (optimally ½ sachet per 1 liter of water), Humana electrolyte, etc.

The daily need for fluid is presented in the table:

The child's daily need for liquid
2 - 10 kg 100 ml/kg
10 - 20 kg + 50 ml/kg per kg over 10 kg
> 20 kg 1500 ml + 20 ml/kg for each kg over 20 kg

In addition, ongoing fluid losses with loose stools and vomiting are taken into account - for each episode of diarrhea / vomiting, an additional 100 - 200 ml of fluid is given.

Intravenous rehydration (fluid replenishment with drips) is done only for severe dehydration and persistent vomiting. In all other cases, you need to drink the child - it is safe, effective and painless.

Smecta (but do not give smecta if it induces vomiting), espumizan or Sab simplex are used as adjuvants. Enterofuril is not recommended for use, as it is not effective either in viral infections or in invasive bacterial intestinal infections. In the diet during the acute period, fresh vegetables and fruits (except bananas), sweet drinks are excluded, and whole milk is limited only in older children.

Parents need to be aware of the first signs of dehydration - a decrease in the frequency and volume of urination, thirst, dry skin and mucous membranes. With increasing dehydration, the child becomes lethargic, stops urinating, thirst disappears, the skin loses turgor, and the eyes “sink”. In this case, there is no time to waste, it is necessary to call a doctor and hospitalize the child.

The appearance of blood and mucus in the child's stool should be alerted, because this is typical for bacterial enterocolitis. Stool with such infections is not large (in contrast to copious watery stools with rotavirus infection), false urge to defecate and abdominal pain may be noted. Drinking water in such cases may not be enough, and, as a rule, antibiotics are required.

Pneumonia

One of the serious diseases in children is pneumonia, or pneumonia. Pneumonia can pose a threat to a child's life. Fortunately, modern medicine has learned to cope well with pneumonia, and this disease can be completely cured in most cases. Therefore, if your baby gets sick with fever and cough, contact your pediatrician. If pneumonia is suspected, a doctor may order an x-ray of the lungs to confirm the diagnosis.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue, that is, the deepest part of the respiratory system. Normally, gas exchange occurs in the lungs, that is, oxygen from the air enters the blood, and carbon dioxide is released from the blood into the environment. When part of the lung is inflamed, the breathing function in the affected lung is affected and the child develops shortness of breath, that is, rapid and labored breathing. Substances produced during the immune system's fight against bacteria cause fever (if the body temperature rises above 38 ° C, this is called a fever). The accumulation of sputum in the alveoli and bronchi and swelling of the mucous membrane stimulate the cough reflex, and a cough occurs. If the focus of pneumonia is near the lining of the lung, called the pleura, chest pains may occur when breathing and coughing.

What causes pneumonia?

There are many infections that can cause pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of so-called "typical" pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is accompanied by fever, cough, shortness of breath, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Less commonly, pneumonia is caused by other pathogens - hemophilus influenzae (Haemophilus influenzae) type b, pyogenic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). "Atypical" pneumonia, which is usually milder and quite contagious, is caused by mycoplasmas and chlamydia. Less commonly, pneumonia is caused by viruses (adenovirus, RS virus) - such pneumonias are rare and can be very difficult. Pneumonia can develop suddenly or be a complication of the flu.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

The most important symptom of pneumonia is fever. In a young child, fever may be the only manifestation. Fever above 39.5°C with chills and fever that is poorly reduced after taking antipyretic drugs should be especially alert. Although not always a high fever that does not respond well to antipyretics is a symptom of pneumonia. This may be a manifestation of a respiratory viral infection.

The second important symptom of pneumonia is a cough. The nature of the cough matters. Particularly alarming are the "deep" cough, cough at night and cough before vomiting.

Severe pneumonia is usually accompanied by shortness of breath, that is, rapid and labored breathing. Sometimes a symptom of pneumonia is pain in the abdomen, which occurs due to irritation of the pleura (lung membrane) during inflammation of the lung area adjacent to the pleura and due to frequent coughing and, accordingly, tension in the abdominal muscles.

Very important signs that speak in favor of pneumonia are symptoms of intoxication, such as fatigue, weakness, refusal to eat and even drink. At the same time, unlike pneumococcal pneumonia, with mycoplasmal pneumonia, the child may feel well.
Coughing and wheezing in the lungs are symptoms not only of pneumonia, but also of bronchitis. It is very important that the doctor distinguishes pneumonia from bronchitis, since antibiotics are not always required for bronchitis and only if its mycoplasmal etiology is suspected.

What can happen if pneumonia is not treated?

This is fraught with complications that are more likely to occur if pneumonia is left untreated. Complications of pneumonia are inflammation of the pleura (pleurisy) and the formation of a cavity in the lung filled with pus (lung abscess). In such cases, a longer course of antibiotics will be required, and sometimes the help of a surgeon.

How to treat pneumonia?

If you have bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. The doctor will decide which antibiotic to choose depending on the suspected cause of the pneumonia. In most cases, the child can be given the antibiotic by mouth (as a suspension or tablets) rather than by injection. The effect of the antibiotic occurs within 24-48 hours. If after 1 - 2 days the child does not feel better and the temperature rises, consult a doctor again.

Usually a child with pneumonia can be treated at home. Hospitalization is required for severe and complicated pneumonia, when the child needs intravenous antibiotics, supplemental oxygen, pleural punctures, and other serious medical interventions.
Give the child an antipyretic (ibuprofen or paracetamol) if the body temperature rises above 38.5-39°C. Antitussives, such as butamirate (Sinekod drug), are contraindicated in pneumonia.

Can pneumonia be prevented?

There are vaccines designed to protect against pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae, which cause the most severe forms of pneumonia (against pneumococcus - vaccines "Prevenar", "Pneumo 23", against Haemophilus influenzae - "Act-HIB", "Hiberix", a component against Haemophilus influenzae sticks are part of the Pentaxim vaccine, components against pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae are simultaneously part of Synflorix). Since pneumococcal pneumonia often develops as a complication of influenza, influenza vaccination is helpful.

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