Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger

Emergencies

Yes	Does your child have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Breathing problems occur, such as:
  • Severe difficulty breathing.
  • Breathing stops for longer than 10 to 20 seconds. Note: If breathing has stopped, after calling 911 or other emergency services, begin rescue breathing. Go to the topic Dealing With Emergencies to see Rescue Breathing.
  • Difficulty breathing and choking on an object in the windpipe. Note: If choking is present, go to the topic Choking Rescue Procedure. For babies under 1 year of age, use back blows rather than the Heimlich manoeuvre. Do not perform the Heimlich manoeuvre if the child is still coughing or able to speak.
  • Wheezing that lasts for longer than 1 hour in a baby younger than 3 months old who appears sick
• Grey, mottled, or blue skin is present in the fingernail beds, lips, or earlobes.
• Drooling with trouble breathing occurs, or the child is not able to cry or make sounds. This can be caused by epiglottitis.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

If your child has any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Suspected allergic reaction (other than from a bite or sting): Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.
• Swallowed or inhaled an object: Go to the topic Swallowed Objects.
• Bite or sting: Go to the most closely related topic:
  • Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites
  • Tick Bites
  • Snake and Lizard Bites
• A respiratory problem after surgery: Go to the topic Post-operative Problems.

Note:

If your child has been diagnosed with a respiratory disease, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, and your child's doctor has given you a plan for handling your child's respiratory problems, seek medical care according to the plan.

Yes	Does your child have a cough?
Yes	Does your child have any signs of mild to moderate difficulty breathing?
Yes	Does your child have a fever?
Yes	Is your child making a high-pitched noise when breathing (wheezing)?
Yes	Do you think your child's symptoms may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Is your child taking an antibiotic for an infection and his or her symptoms have not improved or new symptoms have developed?
Yes	Does your child have a runny nose?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Does your child have any of the following symptoms?

• Sore throat: Go to the topic Sore Throat.
• Possible ear infection: Go to the topic Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
• Facial pain: Go to the topic Facial Problems, Non-injury.
• Signs of an eye infection: Go to the topic Pink Eye.
• Sneezing and has watery eyes and a clear runny nose: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction or Allergic Rhinitis.
• Vomiting: Go to the topic Vomiting, Age 3 and Younger or Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older.

If your child has other symptoms with his or her respiratory symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, or dehydration, evaluate those symptoms also.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: March 26, 2008
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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