Viral induced wheeze

• What is a viral induced wheeze?

  Airways become irritated and inflamed by a virus = swelling and narrowing = hard to breathe
• Is wheeze USUALLY an inspiritory or an expiritory sound?

  Expiritory
• What age group is viral induced wheeze seen in?

  Any
• What are some signs and symptoms of viral induced wheeze?

  Coryzal symptoms

  Cough, sore throat

  Fever

  Lethargy

  Poor feeding

  Wheezing

  Tachypnoea

  Increased work of breathing

  complaints of difficulty breathing or chest tightness
• How is viral induced wheeze managed?

  Salbutamol +/- ipratropium (depending on severity) + Stat prednisolone if features of atopy or interval symptoms when well = re-assess and repeat nebs/puffs until work of breathing settles and chest sounds clear
• When to discharge regarding viral induced wheeze?

  If salbutamol doses can be stretched to 4 hours between use and remains well
• What are they discharged with regarding viral induced wheeze?

  Wheeze plan and safety netting