Viral Induced Wheeze
Date issued: December 2024
For review: December 2026
Ref: A-478/NK/Child Health/Viral Induced Wheeze v3
PDF: Viral Induced wheeze [pdf] 205KB
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…..
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Normally have a family history of asthma and allergy.
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Often wheezy even when they do not have a viral infection.
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Often have a regular night time cough.
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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.
Attach the mask to the mouthpiece of the spacer (if required).
Shake the inhaler well and attach onto the end of the spacer.
Tilt the spacer and mask downward towards the child’s face, placing the mask lightly over the mouth and nose.
Squirt one puff of the inhaler into the spacer. Hold spacer in this position for 30 seconds/10 breathes.
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
| Severity | Symptoms: | Your Action: |
|---|---|---|
| Mild |
If your child’s |
Start blue inhaler 2-10 puffs as needed to a maximum of 4 hourly via a spacer. |
| Moderate |
If your child is wheezing/breathless and the inhalers are not 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.
|
Give 10 puffs of a reliever via spacer. Ring 999 for immediate help. |
72 hours open access
Your child has been given 72 hours open access to the children’s assessment unit.
This access enables you to contact a nurse/doctor if you are concerned about your child and need advice if the symptoms worsen or continue.
Advice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01753 430401, if within your 72 hours open access.
Should your child become unwell once the 72 hours open access has ended then please contact your GP or if necessary the Emergency Department.
In an emergency please call 999
