Respiratory Illnesses

Respiratory Illnesses

Most respiratory bugs are mild and can be managed at home. But there are common complications common in young babies and children such as bronchiolitis, viral wheeze, croup and pneumonia. Unimmunised babies are also at higher risk of pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and pneumococcal. Most respiratory bugs are caused by a virus, so antibiotics wont help.

General signs and symptoms

  • runny or stuffy nose
  • cough 
  • fever

Common complications

  • Airway and breathing issues - Their airways are small, so only a small amount of inflammation and mucus can make it hard to breathe. 
  • Bronchiolitis - This is a common complication of cold viruses. Inflammation in the small airways creates lots of mucus, making it hard to breathe
  • Croup - A viral infection of the upper airways - causing inflammation and narrowing. Known for its “barking” like cough. It’s most common in toddlers
  • Pneumonia - An infection in the lung tissue. Also known as a chest infection. It often happens after another respiratory bug
  • Viral Wheeze  - 1 in 3 children will have viral wheeze at some point in childhood. Signs are a noise when breathing out, caused by airway inflammation and excess mucus

Management at home

  • keep airways clear
  • use saline drops to thin mucus - always buy from the pharmacy, never make your own at home for children. 
  • use a nasal aspirator to remove mucus
  • keep them hydrated
  • babies under 12 months - offer breastmilk and formula regularly and frequently
  • children over 12 months - offer small amounts of fluid frequently. Older toddlers and children can go a longer time without eating, as long as they are drinking enough fluid and staying hydrated - suggested fluids paedialyte, 1:1 water and apple juice, milk

Keep them comfortable

  • support little ones to sleep when they need
  • if your little one seems miserable a dose of paracetamol can help them feel more comfortable
  • lots of cuddles

What isn't recommended

  • over-the-counter cold and flu medicines are not recommended for children under 6 years, including cough medicine (this doesn’t include paracetamol or ibuprofen) 
  • using humidifiers or diffusers with essential oils. this can irritate the lungs, make the room too damp and is a poisoning risk

When to seek help

Most young children who need to see a doctor with a respiratory bug need to be seen within a few hours. If you can’t make an appointment with your family doctor, head to your nearest Emergency Department or A&E. 

Head to a doctor urgently

  • All babies under 3 months who are unwell need to be seen by a doctor within a few hours - even if they have no other concerning symptom
  • is breathing fast, has noisy breathing and is having to use extra effort to breathe
  • looks pale and unwell
  • is taking less than half of their normal feeds
  • hasn’t had a wet nappy for more than 6 hours

When to call for an ambulance

  • blue lips and tongue
  • struggling to breathe, noisy breathing or long pauses in breathing
  • pale, cold and clammy skin
  • floppy, hard to wake or unresponsive