A GP has urged patients to be on the look out for a viral infection that isn't Covid-19 - but can leave babies and children struggling to catch their breath. Bronchiolitis is a chest infection that usually affects babies under two-years-old, but is now been seen across the region in older children around four, health bosses say.
Most cases of bronchiolitis are caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The infection often begins with mild symptoms of a runny nose or cough.
However, it can develop into a temperature, irritability and difficulty breathing. With cases on the rise, and Strep A prevalent, Dr Murugesan Raja, a Manchester GP, has warned parents of the symptoms to look out for and when to call 999, Manchester Evening News reports.
Dr Raja said: "Symptoms usually start with a runny nose or cough. You should start to think about seeing a GP or calling 111 if they develop a fever, if they are not being their usual self, if they start to feed less, if they are not wetting their nappy enough.
"If you also hear some sounds from the chest or you think the infection has gone to the chest you should try and contact 111. If you have a baby that is less than three months old, if their temperature is more than 38 then that’s serious. In babies older than three months and less than six months, a temperature above 39 is not a good sign.
"With bronchiolitis if a child has a blue lip or they look pale or if you notice they have pauses in their breathing then that is again a 999 call. If they are very irritable and not themselves and working hard to breathe you’d want to call 999 for that. If you think something isn't right with your baby or child, please seek help."
In the vast majority of cases the virus is mild and will clear within two weeks, but Raja has warned there will be some babies who will need to be treated at hospital as a result of severe illness. With the increase in cases of both Strep A and Bronchiolitis, it's vital that the two are distinguishable as they are treated differently.
"Strep A we are seeing a lot more these days," he said. "Bacteria infections can be treated with antibiotics so we do need to see children quite quickly. With Strep A we are seeing they are starting with a fever, sore throat and high temperature.
"Usually twelve hours after that they develop a rash on their body. The colour may differ depending on their pigmentation. In white skin it’s red but dark brown in others. The tongue can become very red and lumpy."
Bronchiolitis and Strep A's presence have strained the NHS, but Raja insists that parents should still seek medical attention if their child is unwell. "Bronchiolitis and Strep A is definitely putting pressure on hospitals, GPs and A&E attendance but we would of course rather see the children then not, but we want parents to be aware when to contact 111 and when to ring 999 or come to A&E," he said.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
