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Preschool Viral Wheeze: A Guide for Parents

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Preschool viral wheeze is common. A virus causes swelling, and mucus clogs the airways. It causes difficulty breathing and cough. It looks like asthma, however only happens once or twice in most children before they reach school age. About 1 in every 3 children with preschool wheeze will develop asthma later in life.

What symptoms do you get?

Wheeze is a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when your child breathes out. Other symptoms may include coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

How is it diagnosed?

Preschool viral wheeze is typically diagnosed based on your child’s symptoms and a physical examination by a healthcare professional. Sometimes other tests are done if the wheeze is very severe.

What is the treatment?

The main treatment is inhaled Salbutamol. This medicine is breathed in through an inhaler regularly until the symptoms get better. Salbutamol works quickly, for a short time. Often another medicine is given by mouth which is a steroid called Prednisolone. Prednisolone works slowly, but lasts a long time. If your child is very unwell other treatments are given and your child may be kept in hospital until things improve. When it’s time to go home, you will be given a wheeze plan to follow at home.

Video on how to use an aerochamber spacer with mask video

Click on the image above to watch how to use an aerochamber spacer with a mask.

Remember, preschool viral wheeze should get better after a few days. If you are worried about your child you should get help quickly.

Croup: A Guide for Parents

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What is it?

Croup is common. It causes swelling of the upper airway. It usually affects children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, but can affect older children as well.Croup is often caused by viruses and mostly happens in the autumn and winter months.

What are the symptoms?

Croup causes a barking cough that often sounds like a seal. There can also be a hoarse or raspy voice and difficulty breathing, especially at night. Children may also have a noisy breathing sound called stridor. Symptoms can be mild or severe, and may come on suddenly at night.

How is it diagnosed?

It’s important to seek medical attention if your child is having difficulty breathing or if their symptoms are severe. A healthcare professional will diagnose croup by listening to the story and examining your child.

What is the treatment?

Children with mild cases of croup can stay at home and be given simple treatments such as paracetamol and lots of fluids. In more severe cases, your child may be given a dose of steroids to improve breathing. Sometimes your child might need to be admitted to the hospital for monitoring and other treatments.

Remember, most cases of croup are mild and get better after a few days. If your child is getting worse and having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention promptly.

Use this quick guide to know what signs to look out for in your child.

Bronchiolitis: A guide for parents

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What is it?

  • Bronchiolitis is a viral infection of the lungs and airways. The tiniest air passages become swollen and produce a lot of  mucus. This can make it more difficult for your baby to breathe
  • It mainly affects babies and young children
  • It happens mostly in winter, but can happen at any time of the year
  • It is caused by a number of different viruses, the most common being respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Most children don’t need any medical help, but some need to come to hospital for assessment or treatment

How did my child get it?

RSV and other viruses that cause bronchiolitis often cause mild coughs and colds in older children and adults who can easily pass the virus on to infants in tiny droplets that travel in the air. Almost all children will have had an infection caused by RSV by the time they are two years old. It is most common in the winter months and many infants only get mild ‘cold-like symptoms’ for a few days. Most infants get better on their own but some, especially very young ones or infants with other health problems, can have difficulty with breathing or feeding and may need to go to hospital.

What symptoms will you see?

  • Bronchiolitis starts like a simple cold. Your baby may have a runny nose and sometimes a temperature and a cough
  • After a few days your baby’s cough may become worse. This may be dry initially, but becomes wet as the symptoms develop. Your baby’s breathing may be faster than normal and they may become wheezy.  They may need to make more effort to breathe
  • As breathing becomes more difficult, your baby may not be able to take the usual amount of milk by breast or bottle. You may notice fewer wet nappies than usual
  • Your baby may be sick after feeding and become clingy, unsettled and cry more
  • Sometimes, in very young babies, bronchiolitis may cause them to have brief pauses in their breathing

 

Asthma

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What is asthma?

  • Asthma is a common problem affecting one in eleven children in the UK
  • Asthma affects the airways and lungs. The tubes in the lungs (airways) become inflamed (swollen) and blocked, making it harder for the air to move in and out
  • Asthma causes difficulty breathing and cough which is often worse at night and in the early morning. Many people with asthma feel chest tightness and pain when their asthma is bad.

Why do the airways narrow?

  • The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and swollen
  • The muscles in the airway wall tighten
  • Sticky mucus (phlegm) clogs the airways

Image with link to video with Asthma

Watch the Moving On Asthma video to learn about young people living with asthma. This video is designed to help develop essential self-management skills and provides information on how to access healthcare independently.

What can trigger asthma?

Asthma can be triggered by lots of different things. Some common triggers include:

  • Viral infections, e.g. common coughs and colds
  • Irritants such as tobacco smoke (either you smoking, or somebody else smoking around you), vaping and pollution
  • Allergies such as to dust, pets and pollen
  • Exercise
  • Emotion, e.g. excitement
  • Climate, e.g. sudden change in weather
  • Medications e.g. aspirin

Contact NHS Lothian