My daughter was hospitalised with pneumonia before Christmas. She is now 10 months old and every time she gets a chest infection I am worried. How do I know if it is serious?
Karen says: Recurrent infections seem to be a common feature for pre-school children.
Here are a couple of pointers to help pick up if your daughter is very unwell with an infection:
- High temperature that cannot be controlled with the usual measures (paracetamol/ibupropen, fluids and stripping her down). l Reduced urinary output. l Lethargic and very irritable.
- Rapid breathing.
- Non-blanchable rash.
When she gets a temperature take all the sensible steps: Give her calpol and/or nurofen; strip her down; try her with fluids and watch her.
If you feel she is very sick see your local GP or out of hours service.