Help advice please.

Hi,

I'm new to this and would really appreciate some advice please.

My 2 and half year old son was officially diagnosed with asthma 2 weeks ago. (Although I know he had had it for ages but doctors wouldn't listen).

I had myself a very mild cold like bug last week, and it seems my son has picked it up and it has gone straight to his chest. We had a awful night last night, he coughed himself sick 6 times in a couple of hours. Woke at 3am with a fever if 39.3c. I gave him calpol which brought it down to about 38. We went to gp this morning, the doc said my sons chest was clear and just to continue with the salbutamol. He was quite perky this morning but fever came back by lunchtime, so administered more calpol. Exactly 4 hours after the last dose, the fever is back, he's is coughing bad again (salbutamol helps that a bit), he's barely drinking, won't eat and breathing rapidly. How can the doctor say his chest is clear?

Can someone please give me advice? What can I do to help him? And I'm worrying to much?.

I will add, this time last year he was admitted to hospital with breathing problems and ?puemonia. Had one doc say it was asthma and gave him steroids, another came along and said no it's not asthma and took the needs away. Sent home with Antibiotics.

Thank you in advance

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if he is eating and drinking so little there is a risk of him getting dehydrated (esp given he'll need more fluids due to infection and temp) or if he is breathless at rest, or you notice any discolouration in lips or fingernails (bluey tinge) then its an urgent issue and you should ring 111 or 999 depending on how acutely unwell he is. Don't be afraid to ring especially 111 as they can even just give you advice as to how to make him feel more comfortable, even if they didnt think he needed to be seen. It sounds like it might be an idea to get a second opinion from a different GP, the issue is a 'clear' chest doesnt mean there is no issue - ive hada clear chest but been unwell enough to need o2 and hospital and stuff because it was just a horrendous viral chest infection causing my lungs to strop, but i wasnt wheezy, just had reduced air entry. Even if he doesnt need to be in hosp, that doesnt mean he wont feel quite unwell with it, but you'd hope they'd have a bit of advice to make him feel a bit better!!

I would reccomend ringing 111, but in the mean time, make sure he drinks as much as possible, plenty of clear fluids will help thin the mucus making it easier to cough up, anything you can persuade him to drink is a good plan. Keeping him propped upright will help his cough a bit. Some people find that steamy air can help with a cough (but be aware that some asthmatics are triggered by steam). keep an eye on his temperature and use paracetamol if neccessary (as you are doing). Do you have any vapo-rub stuff? might help as long as his asthma is not tirggered by it.

the main worrying signs to look out for in kids are tracheal tug, intercostal recessions and blue-y tinge around the lips - these are a 999 type emergency. dont be afraid of looking silly, paramedics deal with drunken idiots all the time, and time wasters, you're allowed to be worried about a 2 yr old with breathing difficulties. but i would highly reccomend you speak to 111 tonight or see a different GP tommoz for a second opinion! good luck!!

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youngsters also complain of tummy ache when they are having breathing difficulties / asthma exacerbation - thought it worth a mention as it is quite common but not necessarily something you would link with breathing issues. How are things today?

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Ok things are not going well. Had a rough night, back to gp this morning, different doctor said there is infection. My son has had 2 doses of amoxicillin now. Fever had gone down to 38.5. After his nap (cough disturbed sleep) his temp is 40 despite nurofen and calpol. Breathing rapidly about 60 reps per min. I'm now thinking of taking him to a and e.