RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
ChildrenBronchiolitis
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Symptoms are often worst on days 3 to 5. The cough usually improves within about 3 weeks; get medical advice if it is not improving or is getting worse.
- Call NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if feeds are much smaller than usual, there are fewer wet nappies, the cold is getting worse, or your child seems unusually tired or irritable.
- Get urgent medical advice now for a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or more, or a baby aged 3 to 6 months with a temperature of 39°C or more. Do not wait until the next day.
- Seek help sooner if your baby was premature or has a heart, lung or immune-system condition.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- Contact your GP when the surgery is open. If it is closed, you cannot get the help you need, or you are unsure what to do, call NHS 111. You can call even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Pauses in breathing.
- Severe breathing difficulty, grunting, or marked sucking in under the ribs.
- A child under 5 who is unwell and has not peed for 12 hours, or symptoms that make you think they may have sepsis.
- Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
- Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
- Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
- Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Bronchiolitishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bronchiolitis/
- NHS - Fever in childrenhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/