Pregnancy & Baby 

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Chest infections

Coughs and splutters are common in young children but they can easily develop into chest infections. Paediatrician, Kerry Robinson looks at symptoms and treatments

Children get about six upper airway infections a year causing coughs and colds though not all of these will affect their lungs. The term ‘chest infection’ covers a range of conditions from bronchitis to pneumonia, which affect different parts of the breathing apparatus but produce similar symptoms. Broadly speaking, Bronchitis means infection of the big airway passages, while Pneumonia, or ‘chest infection’, refers to infection of the tissue of the lungs.

How do chest infections develop?

Bugs breathed in from the air and passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing or close contact are the main cause. The bugs usually gather in the upper airways of the nose and throat causing a mild cough/cold type illness before travelling down to the lungs.

What are the common symptoms?

• Initially a mild cough/cold which then develops into something bigger. Children can run a high temperature (often higher than 39C) that swings up and then down again. They may also experience rigors – these are sudden attacks of shivering and a sensation of coldness accompanied by a rapid rise in body temperature.
• Your child may have a dry cough that does not produce any phlegm but in a chest infection this will develop into a more obvious cough and the child will bring up phlegm that may be green or yellow in colour. It can become bloodstained.
• Younger children may be off their food and may suffer from diarrhoea.
• Older children will complain of chest pain when they breathe. The pain is usually sharp and worse on taking a big breath in.
• The breathing may be shallow and rapid.

When do I need to get the GP?

It is difficult to give a precise time but you should see your doctor if:

• your child is panting and having difficulty getting their breath
• their breathing is very fast
• their breathing is painful
• your child’s lips are a bluish colour
• your child coughs up blood
• your child isn’t eating or drinking or passing urine

Should I call a doctor if my child gets worse at night?

You have to use your own judgement a bit but the answer is yes. If you are worried and your child is short of breath then don’t worry about the time of day.

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