Viral Induced Wheeze
Date issued: September 2021
Review date: September 2023
Ref: A-478
PDF: Viral Induced wheeze final September 2021.pdf [pdf] 225KB
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
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.
