Paediatric Asthma, Chronic Cough & Sleep Specialist in Melbourne – Dr Marc Theilhaber

Children with asthma, chronic cough, wheezing or sleep problems are among the most common reasons parents search for specialist help in Melbourne.

If your child’s asthma is not improving, if they are coughing for weeks at a time, or if snoring and poor sleep are affecting their energy, behaviour or school performance, a paediatric respiratory specialist may be helpful.

At Eleanor Clinic, families have access to Dr Marc Theilhaber, a Consultant Paediatrician with subspecialty training in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, specialising in complex breathing and sleep disorders in children and adolescents.

Dr Marc works at Monash Children’s Hospital and provides specialist assessment and management for children across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Paediatric Asthma Specialist in Melbourne (Severe & Uncontrolled Asthma)

Dr Marc Theilhaber assesses and manages children with:

• Severe or difficult-to-control asthma
• Asthma not improving with standard treatment
• Recurrent asthma flare-ups
• Emergency department or hospital presentations
• Recurrent wheeze in children
• Exercise-induced breathing symptoms
• Ongoing shortness of breath or breathing difficulty

Early specialist assessment can help clarify diagnosis, optimise treatment and improve day-to-day asthma control.

Chronic Cough & Breathing Problems in Children

Dr Marc sees children with:

• Chronic cough lasting weeks or months
• Post-viral persistent cough
• Night cough or cough disrupting sleep
• Unexplained wheezing
• Ongoing breathing concerns after infections
• Exercise-related respiratory symptoms

Children’s Sleep Specialist in Melbourne (Snoring, Sleep Apnoea & Fatigue)

Sleep and breathing problems are closely linked in children.

Dr Marc also has expertise in paediatric sleep disorders, including:

• Snoring in children
• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
• Mouth breathing during sleep
• Restless or fragmented sleep
• Frequent night waking
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Narcolepsy and other hypersomnolence disorders

Sleep-related breathing problems may also present with behavioural concerns, difficulty concentrating, or persistent fatigue during the day.

Sleep Studies for Children (Home Oximetry & Overnight Testing)

Where clinically appropriate, Dr Marc Theilhaber is accredited to arrange and refer children for sleep investigations, including:

• Overnight oximetry studies (performed in the child’s own home)
• Formal overnight sleep studies (polysomnography) in a sleep laboratory

These investigations may be recommended when there are concerns about snoring, suspected sleep apnoea, disrupted sleep, or unexplained daytime fatigue.

When should your child see a paediatric respiratory specialist?

A referral may be appropriate if your child has:

• Poorly controlled or severe asthma
• Repeated hospital or emergency presentations
• Persistent or chronic cough
• Ongoing wheeze or breathing difficulties
• Snoring or suspected sleep apnoea
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Concerns about breathing during sleep

Initial assessment should always be with your GP. A referral is required from a GP, General Paediatrician or ENT specialist.

Serving Melbourne, CBD & Regional Victoria

Melbourne Western Suburbs

Footscray, Yarraville, Williamstown, Sunshine, Werribee, Altona, Maribyrnong, Caroline Springs, Point Cook

Melbourne CBD & Inner City

Melbourne CBD, Southbank, Docklands, North Melbourne, Kensington

Regional Victoria & Coastal Areas

Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay and the Great Ocean Road region

Referrals & Appointments

Children can be referred to Dr Marc Theilhaber by:

• General Practitioners (GPs)
• General Paediatricians
• ENT Specialists

To arrange an appointment:

📞 03 9318 4666

For health professionals:

📧 reception@eleanorclinic.com.au

Specialist paediatric respiratory care in Melbourne

If you are searching for a paediatric asthma specialist in Melbourne, a child chronic cough doctor, or a children’s sleep specialist for snoring, sleep apnoea or fatigue, Dr Marc Theilhaber provides specialist assessment and care through Eleanor Clinic.

Asthma Care in Melbourne’s Inner West | Expert Childhood Asthma Support at Eleanor Clinic

Asthma-related hospital visits for children in Melbourne’s inner west remain among the highest in Victoria. Recent reporting in The Age has again highlighted the ongoing burden of respiratory illness, particularly for children affected by urban air quality, seasonal viral infections, and environmental triggers.

At Eleanor Clinic, we see this reality every day. Children commonly present with asthma, chronic cough, recurrent wheeze, and breathing difficulties that can significantly affect sleep, school attendance, and overall family wellbeing. Our focus is early diagnosis, structured asthma management, and preventing avoidable flare-ups and hospital presentations.

Comprehensive Childhood Asthma Care at Eleanor Clinic

Eleanor Clinic provides high-quality, evidence-based asthma care for children, including:

• Individualised asthma action plans
• Inhaler technique and spacer education
• Preventative (“controller”) asthma treatment
• Early treatment of asthma flare-ups
• Management of viral-triggered wheeze and respiratory infections
• Assessment and follow-up of chronic cough

Our GPs are experienced in identifying early signs of poorly controlled asthma and supporting families with clear, practical treatment plans.

Recognised Excellence in Asthma Care – Safer Care Victoria Project

Eleanor Clinic has actively participated in the asthma quality improvement initiative through the ICAM project, and in 2025 received a Certificate of Recognition from Safer Care Victoria for outstanding contribution to improving childhood asthma care.

This recognition reflects our commitment to structured, guideline-based asthma management and continuous improvement in paediatric respiratory health outcomes.

Specialist Paediatric Respiratory Care with Dr Marc Theilhaber

For children with more complex or persistent respiratory symptoms, Eleanor Clinic provides access to specialist paediatric respiratory expertise.

Marc Theilhaber is a paediatrician and paediatric respiratory specialist who independently consults at Eleanor Clinic. He works alongside GPs to support children with asthma and other lung and breathing conditions.

Dr Theilhaber accepts GP referrals from Eleanor Clinic as well as from other medical clinics, making specialist care accessible to families across Melbourne. Parents can simply ask their usual GP for a referral if they are concerned about their child’s breathing or lung health.

A GP referral is required for all consultations.

He brings advanced expertise in:

• Poorly controlled or severe childhood asthma
• Chronic or persistent cough
• Recurrent wheeze or unexplained breathing symptoms
• Exercise-related breathing difficulty
• Complex respiratory assessment and management

This integrated model ensures children receive coordinated care between their GP and specialist respiratory physician, improving both short-term symptom control and long-term outcomes.

Winter Respiratory Illness and Asthma Risk

As winter approaches, respiratory infections such as influenza and other viral illnesses become a major trigger for asthma exacerbations in children. These infections can significantly worsen symptoms and increase the risk of emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne strongly recommends annual influenza vaccination for children with asthma or chronic respiratory conditions.
RCH Asthma Information for Parents

Flu Vaccination Options for Children

To support families ahead of winter, Eleanor Clinic offers:

• Standard influenza vaccination
• FluMist (needle-free nasal spray for children, private vaccine in Victoria)

FluMist helps improve vaccine accessibility for children who are needle-averse and supports better protection during peak respiratory virus season.

Environmental Health and Community Impact

We also recognise the growing evidence linking air quality and childhood respiratory disease. Supporting cleaner air initiatives in Melbourne’s inner west remains an important part of reducing long-term asthma burden in the community.

Preventative healthcare and environmental health policy both play a critical role in improving outcomes for local children.

When to Seek Help for Your Child’s Asthma

Early review is important. You should seek medical assessment if your child has:

• Frequent coughing, especially at night or with exercise
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Increasing need for reliever medication
• Persistent symptoms after viral infections
• Any history of emergency visits for breathing issues

Early intervention can significantly reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks and hospitalisation.

Trusted Asthma Resource

More information is available from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne:
Asthma fact sheet for parents

Eleanor Clinic Asthma Care

Eleanor Clinic is committed to delivering high-quality, proactive asthma care for children in Melbourne’s inner west. By combining experienced GP management, structured asthma programs, and access to specialist respiratory expertise when required, we aim to improve outcomes and reduce preventable hospital presentations.

If you are concerned about your child’s breathing or asthma control, early review before the winter peak illness season can make a meaningful difference.

Be proactive and make an appointment to get on top of your kids asthma care.

Needle-Free Flu Vaccination for Children in Melbourne’s West | FluMist at Eleanor Clinic

Protect your child this flu season with a gentle, needle-free option available at Eleanor Clinic

Influenza (flu) can make children very unwell and is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions in young kids each winter in Australia. Even healthy children can become seriously sick, spread the virus to family members, and miss school or childcare for days or weeks.

At Eleanor Clinic in Melbourne’s west, we strongly encourage annual flu vaccination for all children as the best protection against influenza.

Needle-Free Flu Vaccine (FluMist) now available at Eleanor Clinic for our regular patients

For families searching for FluMist in Melbourne or Melbourne’s west, we offer a private needle-free flu vaccination option for children called FluMist.

FluMist is a gentle nasal spray vaccine that provides protection without needles — making it an excellent option for children who are anxious, fearful, or distressed by injections.

FluMist at Eleanor Clinic:

• Needle-free (nasal spray, no injections)
• Ideal for children with needle anxiety
• Quick and easy to administer
• Private vaccine option for eligible patients

Eligibility:

• Children and adolescents aged 2–17 years
• Suitable for healthy children (our clinicians will assess suitability)

Private fee applies: $50

If you are looking for a needle-free flu vaccine in Melbourne’s west, Eleanor Clinic provides one of the few accessible private FluMist options in the area.

Why flu vaccination for children is so important

Children are among the highest spreaders of influenza in the community. Vaccination helps:

• Reduce the risk of severe flu illness
• Lower hospital admissions in young children
• Protect babies, elderly family members, and vulnerable people at home
• Reduce school and childcare outbreaks
• Shorten illness duration and severity if infection occurs

Even if your child is otherwise healthy, flu can still cause:

• High fevers and dehydration
• Breathing difficulties
• Ear infections and complications
• Time off school and parental work disruption

Annual vaccination is recommended because flu strains change every year.

Who is eligible for free government-funded flu vaccine in Victoria (children)?

In Victoria, the influenza vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for eligible children and risk groups.

Children eligible for free flu vaccine:

• All children aged 6 months to under 5 years

Additional groups eligible for free flu vaccine:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 6 months and over
• Children (and people of any age) with medical risk conditions such as:
  • Asthma requiring regular preventer medication
  • Heart disease
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Weakened immune system (due to illness or medication)
  • Neurological conditions affecting breathing or swallowing

Your GP or registered nurse  will assess eligibility during your appointment.

FluMist vs standard flu vaccine

At Eleanor Clinic, we offer both options:

Standard flu vaccine (government-funded if eligible):

• Injection (needle)
• Available for all eligible groups

FluMist (currently private in Victoria, we advocate that this should be government funded in the future as well)

• Needle-free nasal spray
• Suitable for selected children aged 2–17 years
• Helpful for children with strong needle anxiety

Both options provide protection against influenza — the best choice depends on your child’s age, health, and preference.

Flu vaccinations in Melbourne’s west – book early

Flu season typically starts early, and vaccination is recommended before winter peaks.

If you are looking for:

• Flu vaccine for kids in Melbourne
• FluMist Melbourne west
• Needle-free flu vaccine for children
• GP flu clinic for families in Footscray / surrounding suburbs

Eleanor Clinic is here to help.

Book your child’s flu vaccination

Tel: 03 9399 8666

We recommend booking early to secure your preferred appointment time before flu season peaks. You need to be a regular patine at Eleanor Clinic, to be able to have your vaccinations with us.

Protect your child. Protect your family. Reduce the spread of influenza in our community.

Read more about influenza vaccination here