Breathing problems include noisy or rapid
breathing & shortness of breath. Shortness of breath may
not be obvious because a child may simply avoid exertion.
A child with severe difficulty breathing needs urgent hospital
treatment. Sudden breathing problems also need immediate attention.
DANGER SIGNS:
Call an ambulance
if your child's breathing rate is excessively rapid or if
breathing problems are accompanied by any of the following
symptoms -
- Bluish lips or tongue
- Drowsiness
- Inability to swallow, talk, or produce sounds
SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT:
A child
whose breathing is unusually rapid when at rest or asleep
may need medical attention. Check your child's breathing by
counting the number of breathe he or she takes in a minute
with your hand on his or her chest or back to feel the breaths.
The normal breathing rate of a young baby is faster than that
of an older child. Compare your child's breathing with the
average for his or her age shown in the table.
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