RAG = RED AMBER GREEN.

Green Flag - Babies and children

often get coughs and colds and will recover without parents needing to seek medical help.

Amber Flag - Seek medical advice

e.g. GP, NHS Direct

1. Temperature over 38C (ear thermometer)

2 .Noisiness with breathing, bubbly

3. Pale (mottled)

4. Cold hands and feet

5. More sleepy than usual

6. Not responding as normal

7. Not feeding adequately

8. Sucking ribs in

Red Flag - Call an ambulance

1. Baby going blue

2. Increased breathing rate more

than 1 per second

3. Pauses in breathing (apnoea)

4. Sucking ribs in when breathing

5. Head bobbing with breathing

6. Struggling to feed on two

occasions, breathlessness

7. Non responsive

8. Grunting (at the end of each break)

What is Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is when the tiniest air passages in your baby’s lungs become swollen, This can make it more difficult for your baby to breathe. Usually, Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus called respiratory syncytial virus (known as RSV). Almost all childr en will have had an infection caused by RSV by the time they are two. It is most common in the winter months and usually only causes mild ‘cold-like’ symptons. Most children get better on their own. Some babies, especially very young ones, can have difficulty with breathing or feeding and may need to go to hospital.

Can I prevent Bronchiolitis?

No. The virus that causes bronchiol itis in babies also causes coughs and colds in older children and adults so it is very difficult to prevent. What are the symptons?

* 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.

* Your baby’s breathing may be faster than normal and it may become make more effort to breathe.

* Sometimes in very young babies, bronchiolitis may cause them to have brief pauses in their breathing.

* 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 irritable.

How can I help my baby?

* If feeding is difficult, try breastfeeding more often or offering smaller bottle feeds more often.

* If your baby has a temperature, you can give him or her paracetamol (for example, Calpol or Disprol).

You must follow the instructions that come with the paracetamol carefully If you are not sure, ask your community pharmacist if paracetamol is suitable for your baby, and what dose you should give.

* If you baby is already taking any medicines or inhalers, you should carry on using these. If you find it difficult to get your baby to take them, ask your doctor for advice.

* Bronchiolitis is caused by a virus so antibiotics won’t help.

Make sure your baby is not exposed to tobacco smoke. Passive smoking can  seriously damage your baby’s health. It makes breathing problems like bronchiolitis worse.

RAG = RED AMBER GREEN.

Alert - Children who already have chest or heart problems could become unwell quicker and more seriously - Please take them to hospital