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Viral induced wheeze in children

Information for parents and carers

A doctor is listening to a young girls breathing through a stethoscope

Children & Young People’s Emergency Department

You have been given this information leaflet because your child has been diagnosed with a viral induced wheeze.

Wheezing is a whistling sound that occurs during breathing when the airways are narrowed, it is more frequent when breathing out. Wheeze in babies and young children is a common symptom of a viral infection. Some children wheeze on and off in their early childhood during viral infections.

It does not mean your child has asthma. They may have frequent episodes and never develop asthma.

As your child has been diagnosed with a viral illness they may also suffer from the following:

  • Runny nose
  • Temperatures
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Cough and breathlessness

Treating viral induced wheeze

No specific treatment exists. You may be provided with an inhaler, but this does not always work.

You should care for your child by:

  • Ensuring they drink plenty of fluids

  • If breast fed, continue to do so

  • If your child is coughing and vomiting, then give smaller feeds more frequently

  • If your child has a temperature or sore throat, you can give paracetamol.
    Please check the medication label prior to giving to your child.

  • Not smoking near the child as this may irritate the lungs further and exacerbate the illness.

The cold-like symptoms may normally last 3 to 4 days. Your child may suffer with a cough and wheeze for up to 2 weeks.

You should seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur:

  • Severe breathing difficulties
  • Blue skin or lips
  • Unusually sleepy
  • Unable to take oral fluids due to vomiting or difficulty in breathing.
  • Your child has not drunk anything all day or not passed urine.

Further information

For further advice and information about your condition, please choose from the following:

  • ‘NHS Patient Choices’ website: www.nhs.uk
  • ‘Making Lives Better’ patient website: www.patient.info
  • Telephone NHS 111
  • Contact your General Practitioner

Contact details

  • The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
    Telephone: 01642 850850
  • The Friarage, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1JG
    Telephone: 01609 779911
  • Redcar Primary Care Hospital, West Dyke Road, Redcar, TS10 4NW
    Telephone: 01642 511000

Patient experience

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.

This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.

To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.

T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]

The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850
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