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Information for parents and carers.

 

What is Viral Induced Wheeze?

Viral induced wheeze is a whistling sound from the chest that is due to a narrowing/swelling of the airways, caused by a viral infection (a cough or a cold).

This wheeze may return each time your child has a cold. Normally children are well in-between viral infections but the wheeze can continue for some weeks after. Children under the age of 3 are most likely to have viral induced wheeze.

Viral wheeze is similar but different to asthma; only some children will go on to develop asthma as they are older.

Asthmatic children…..

• Normally have a family history of asthma and allergy.
• Often wheezy even when they do not have a viral infection.
• Often have a regular night time cough.

Often wheezy when doing exercise.

 

How to use the inhaler and spacer.

You will always be given a spacer device suitable to your child’s age prior to discharge.

1. Attach the mask to the mouthpiece of the spacer (if required).
2. Shake the inhaler well and attach onto the end of the spacer.
3. Tilt the spacer and mask downward towards the child’s face, placing the mask lightly over the mouth and nose.
4. Squirt one puff of the inhaler into the spacer.
5. Hold spacer in this position for 30 seconds/10 breathes.
6. Repeat all steps if further puffs are required, shaking inhaler in between each puff.

 

Treatment at home.

If you have a blue inhaler (salbutamol) use this with the spacer provided.

Your child will need their inhaler less often as they get better and it can be stopped when they are well. For example;

Day one: 10 puffs, 4 hourly.

Day two: 10 puffs, 6 hourly.

Day three: 10 puffs, 12 hourly.

 

 

Viral Induced Wheeze in the future.

	Symptoms:	Your Action:
Mild	If your child’s breathing is not laboured or fast and they are able to continue their normal day to day activities.	Start blue inhaler 2-10puffs as needed to a maximum of 4 hourly via a spacer.
Moderate	If your child is wheezing/breathless and the inhalers aren’t lasting 4 hours. Too breathless to run and play. Having day and night-time cough/wheeze.	Give 10 puffs blue reliever inhaler every 4 hours via a spacer. Contact your GP and make an appointment for your child to be seen if this is ineffective.
Severe	If your child is too breathless to talk/eat or drink. Has blue lips. Having worsening symptoms of cough/wheeze despite treatment. Confused/drowsy.	Give 10 puffs of a reliever via spacer. Ring 999 for immediate help.