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• Coughs and colds in babies

When should I see a doctor about my baby's cold or cough?

• Babies can't tell you what's wrong and usually different illnesses, from colds to meningitis, have similar symptoms, such as going off feeds. A little one's condition also tends to change rapidly: he gets sick quickly, and has fewer reserves than adults to cope with illness.
• A high temperature (over 38°C) should be checked out by a doctor, especially if it's persistent and if you can't lower it with medicine or tepid baths. The higher a baby's temperature, the sooner you should seek help: a little one with a temperature of 40°C should be seen that day.
• If your child stops eating, is drinking less and becomes lethargic or uninterested in what's going on, take him to a doctor. If he develops a rash, gets worse after the first four or five days or isn't improving after a week, it's time to head to your GP.

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How to tell if a cough or cold is serious:

According to Dr Lowri Kew, working out the cause of a cough can be hard even after examination by a doctor.
'If your child is unwell or you're worried, seek medical help,' she advises.

• Croup is usually seen in children under 2, and starts with a temperature and hoarse voice. The characteristic barking cough is worse at night.
• Bronchiolitis tends to affect babies under 6 months (although can be up to 1 year). It starts like a cold, which progresses to an irritable cough, an increased rate of breathing and difficulty feeding over 2-3 days.
• Chest infections affect children of any age. Typical symptoms include a higher temperature (up to 38º C), going off food, an increased rate of breathing and a cough.
• Older children who complain of a headache may have sinusitis. They may have a temperature and a cough at night, as mucus drains down the throat.
• Asthma is more common if there's family history of it. It doesn't cause a high temperature unless there's also a chest infection. Symptoms include a cough at night or wheezing with exercise, infection or at other times. In an acute attack, a child may breathe faster, cough, wheeze or draw in the skin between his ribs as he breathes.
• Whooping cough can start with a runny nose, progressing to a dry cough that occurs in bursts. After a bout of a hacking cough, a little one will breathe in, and in older children this may sound like a whooping noise. The child may vomit and is likely to be exhausted. The cough may last for several months and can occur even in vaccinated children.

More help and advice

- Could your baby have swine flu? Find out here
- Common kids' health conditions
- Tips and advice on bringing up your baby

By Rachel Blackwell

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