A baby with a cough and fever is one of the most common, and most anxiety inducing, reasons parents seek medical advice. Most of the time it is a viral illness that will resolve on its own. But sometimes it is something more, and knowing the difference matters. If your baby is unwell and you want a doctor in London to see them today, Clinique Alpa offers same day paediatric appointments with a GP who has over 20 years of experience assessing children.
When Should I Take My Baby to the Doctor for a Cough?
You should seek a same day medical assessment if your baby has a temperature above 38 degrees that is not responding to paracetamol, if they are feeding significantly less than normal, if they are vomiting after feeds, if their breathing appears fast, noisy, or laboured, if you can see their ribs pulling in with each breath, if they are unusually sleepy or difficult to wake, or if the cough has been going on for more than a week and is getting worse rather than better.
When Should I Go Straight to A&E?
Take your baby directly to the nearest paediatric emergency department if they are struggling to breathe, if their lips or skin turn blue or grey, if they become floppy or unresponsive, if they have a non blanching rash (a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it), or if they have a temperature above 39 degrees and are under 3 months old.
From Our Practice: A Baby Who Had Just Started Nursery
An infant was brought in by a parent after developing a cough with a high fever shortly after starting nursery. There had been vomiting episodes and the cough was worsening, with nasal discharge and reduced intake of both milk and solid food. The baby was more irritable than usual and had difficulty settling. The parent was particularly alarmed by a choking episode caused by phlegm.
The baby had been born at 36 weeks by caesarean section with a birth weight of 2.1 kilograms and had spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit. There was a history of constipation and previous acid reflux which had since resolved. Both parents had a history of asthma.
On examination, the temperature was 36.9 degrees, oxygen saturation 99 per cent, and heart rate 105. The chest was clear on auscultation and the throat was unremarkable. Multiple teeth were erupting. The clinical picture was consistent with mild bronchiolitis, a very common viral illness in infants, particularly those recently exposed to other children in a nursery setting.
We prescribed an inhaler with a spacer for 1 week of burst therapy, provided a delayed antibiotic prescription to be used only if specific criteria were met, recommended steam inhalation techniques for the congestion, and gave the parent clear safety netting: return immediately if the temperature rises above 38 to 39 degrees, if there are any breathing difficulties, or if the baby shows chest retractions (the skin pulling in between the ribs).
Why Parents Choose a Private Paediatric GP
When your baby is unwell, you want them seen and examined properly by a doctor, not triaged over the phone. At Clinique Alpa, Dr Parmar will examine your child thoroughly, explain the diagnosis in plain language, and give you a clear plan for what to do and what to watch for. Consultations last a minimum of 30 minutes, and same day appointments are available for most requests.
Book a Same Day Appointment
If your baby is unwell and you want them seen today, contact Clinique Alpa.
Visit cliniquealpa.co.uk or call 0208 882 8088.