Symptoms of a sick child
How to tell if your child is sick
How to tell if your child is sick | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content8-minute read
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Key facts
- If your child is eating, behaving, sleeping and playing normally, they are not likely to have much wrong with them.
- If your child is fretful, listless, cranky, lethargic, hot, pale or flushed, it is a good idea to take them to the doctor.
- The most common symptoms of childhood illness are fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain, rash, cough and headache. If your child has one or more of these symptoms, it is a good idea to take them to the doctor.
- If your child has a purple rash that does not fade with pressure, you should take your child to a doctor urgently.
How can I tell if my child is sick?
Your best guide to your child’s state of health is their behaviour. Children who look, behave and act more or less normally are unlikely to be very ill.
A healthy child will generally have a good appetite and get a full night's sleep. They will also have plenty of energy and natural curiosity in their surroundings and generally act appropriately for their age.
The will also have plenty of energy and natural curiosity in their surroundings and generally act appropriately for their age.
A sick child may:
- be fretful or listless, or irritable when disturbed
- cry readily and not be easily comforted
- lose interest in playing or is unusually quiet and inactive
- be unusually quiet and inactive
- not want to eat
- feel hot to touch
- look tired and flushed or pale
- complain of feeling cold
What are some common symptoms?
Fever — fever itself is not harmful. The infection causing the fever is often viral and needs rest and fluids, but sometimes it is bacterial and antibiotics are needed.
A baby under 3 months with a fever over 38°C is an emergency and they should be taken to an emergency department straight away as the cause of the fever is often hard to find and other signs of illness may be difficult to detect.
Vomiting — vomiting in babies and children is a common reaction to bodily upsets, which may or may not be serious in the absence of other symptoms.
Diarrhoea — the loss of fluid through repeated watery poos can cause dehydration in young babies, which can be dangerous.
Pain — if your child has pain in the abdomen, throat, ears or muscles, or when passing urine, they need to see the doctor.
Rash — rashes, which are very common in children, may be due to an infectious diseases such as a viral infection, or an allergic reaction to medicine or to something that they ate or touched. Try to find out the cause, which may require medical treatment.
Many rashes are due to minor infections and are not serious.
If your child has a purple rash that does not fade with pressure, you should take your child to a doctor urgently.
Headache — if the headache lasts for a long time, or comes and goes, or your child has a stiff neck, they need to see the doctor.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
How do I check my child’s temperature?
A body temperature above 38°C indicates fever. Checking body temperature by feeling your child’s forehead is not reliable. Always use a thermometer.
There are different types of thermometer and the results may vary depending on what you use:
- digital thermometer, which is placed under the tongue or armpit. Oral readings (under the tongue) are usually the most accurate. It’s best to take oral temperatures in children aged over 4
- digital ear thermometer, which are quick and easy but can be a little inaccurate
- temporal artery thermometers, which scan the forehead to give a reading
Plastic tape thermometers used on the forehead are not reliable.
Some thermometers are more suitable for particular age groups so follow the manufacturer's directions to get an accurate reading or ask your doctor or child health nurse for advice.
Fever is a common symptom of many childhood illnesses and often it is nothing to worry about. However, always get an infants under 12 months checked if they have a fever. If your baby is under 3 months and has a fever, seek medical advice immediately, even if they have no signs of being sick.
How can I tell if my child has a serious illness?
You should seek help immediately if your child:
- is unusually drowsy, floppy, listless or unresponsive
- has changed colour and is pale, or has blueish or ashen skin, or has a purple or red rash that does not turn skin coloured (blanch) when pressed
- has difficulty breathing, has fast, shallow breaths or is grunting while breathing
- has a fever with a temperature above 38°C and is under 3 months of age
- is refusing to drink, or is drinking less than half their normal fluid intake
- is not passing urine or is wetting less than half of their normal amount of nappies
- is having seizures
- is vomiting repeatedly, or if the vomit has a green tinge
- has a high-pitched, weak or continuous cry
- has a bulging fontanelle, which is the soft spot on top of your baby’s head
When should I call an ambulance for my child?
In some situations, it is clear that you need to take your child to the doctor, for example after an accident or when an illness causes worrying symptoms such as difficulty with breathing.
You should call an ambulance if your child:
- is very drowsy or unresponsive
- has high-pitched, weak or continuous crying
- has difficulty breathing or unusual breathing
- has pale, mottled or blue skin
- has a fit or seizure
- has a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on top of their head)
- has a rash that doesn’t fade after you press the child’s skin
When should I take my child to the emergency department?
You should go to the nearest hospital emergency department if your child:
- is less than 3 months old and has a fever
- is not feeding well
- is vomiting frequently or vomiting green fluid or blood
- has pain that pain relief medication doesn’t help
- develops a lump or swelling
- stops breathing for more than 15 seconds
- has a severe headache
- is complaining that light hurts their eyes
- is drinking less than half the normal amount and not passing some urine every 6 hours
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
Meningitis is a swelling of the membrane that surrounds the brain.
It is commonly caused by infection.
Meningitis often begins with flu-like symptoms such as high temperature, chills, and cold hands or feet. The child may become drowsy or less alert, have a poor colour or be pale, and not drinking or passing urine. A stiff neck, a blotchy red or purple rash and breathing difficulties may also develop. A child with meningitis might have persistent headache or a sore neck, and bright lights might hurt their eyes.
Meningitis is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment. It can kill within hours, so early diagnosis and treatment is vital. Do not wait for the purple rash to appear as that is a late stage of the disease. If you think your child might have meningitis, take them straight to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Vaccines against some types of viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis are available.
Here is more information on vaccinating your child against meningitis.
How do I seek help?
If you think your child’s condition requires urgent medical attention, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or take them to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.
If you’re unsure of the seriousness of your child’s illness, call healthdirect to speak to a registered nurse on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Sources:
Raising Children Network (Serious childhood illnesses: 0-3 years), Queensland Government (When your child is sick), Sydney Children's Hospital Network (Recognition of serious illness in children), Raising Children Network (Meningitis), Raising Children Network (Taking your child's temperature)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: March 2021
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Recognition of serious illness in children | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
As a parent you know what your child is like when he is well so you can detect the subtle changes in mood, behaviour, activity and appetite that indicate your child may be developing an illness
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Symptoms of serious illness in babies and young children include severe drowsiness, breathing difficulty, blue skin, seizures, fever and frequent vomiting.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Serious childhood rashes
A rash on your baby’s skin may indicate a serious condition, especially if they also have a high temperature, cough or swollen neck glands. Learn more here.
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Kawasaki disease is a serious illness that affects hundreds of Australian children each year and many thousands worldwide. The most serious complication of Kawasaki Disease is damage to the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
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Measles in children and teenagers | Raising Children Network
Measles can be very serious.
Symptoms include a runny nose, fever and rash. Immunisation protects your child, but children can still get measles.
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Sick Child Basics | Riley Children's Health
When your child is sick, it is natural to worry – especially when you are a first time parent. It is sometimes difficult to know when your child is seriously ill, when is the right time to call the doctor, and what are the best ways to make sure your child recovers as quickly and as comfortably as possible.
Remember, your child’s doctor is always happy to answer your questions, and would rather have you call and ask questions, than wonder and worry.
Below are some helpful tips to help you navigate your child’s illnesses as you care for them at home.
Checking for Signs of Serious Illness
If your baby is less than 3 months of age, it’s particularly important to call their doctor immediately or go to the emergency room for a temperature higher than 100.4° F, excessive fussiness, excessive sleepiness, refusal to eat, and/or coughing.
When your child is sick, he or she may have a fever. A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. A fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting an illness or infection. Fevers are generally harmless. In fact, they can be considered a good sign that your child’s immune system is working and the body is trying to heal itself. Have a thermometer handy at home, so that you can take your child’s temperature when they are sick.
While the average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), a normal temperature range is between 97.5°F (36.4°C) and 99.5°F (37.5°C). Most pediatricians consider a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) as a sign of a fever.
Observing other symptoms and behavior can also help you decide the seriousness of your child’s illness.
Appearance
- Reassuring Signs: Your child appears “bright-eyed” and alert.
- Worrisome Signs: Your child appears sleepy with “dull” eyes and little expression on his or her face.
- Serious-Illness-Likely Signs: Your child just stares “blankly” and has a “glassy-eyed” look.
Cry
- Reassuring Signs: Your child cries in the usual way at the usual things.
- Worrisome Signs: Your child’s cry sounds whiny. Your child is difficult to comfort and whimpers off and on.
- Serious-Illness-Likely Signs: Your child’s cry sounds weak.
Your child continues to cry or moan even while being comforted.
Activity Level
- Reassuring Signs: Your child plays and sleeps normally.
- Worrisome Signs: Your child is fussy when awake and sleeps more than usual.
- Serious-Illness-Likely Signs: Your child is hard to awaken and has little or no interest in playing.
Appetite
- Reassuring Signs: Your child asks for favorite foods and liquids and eats and drinks the requested foods and liquids.
- Worrisome Signs: Your child takes liquids or food if offered, but takes only a few sips of liquid or a few bites of food.
- Serious-Illness-Likely Signs: Your child pushes away or refuses all food and liquids.
Urination
- Reassuring Signs: Your child voids (pees) light yellow urine with the usual frequency. A baby should have six to eight wet diapers a day.
- Worrisome Signs: Your child voids dark yellow urine less frequently than usual.
- Serious-Illness-Likely Signs: Your child has very little saliva (spit), fewer tears than usual when they cry, and very little urine.
If all of the signs in all of the areas are “reassuring,” feel comforted that for the time being, your child is not seriously ill. However, remember that your child’s condition can change, so you will need to recheck signs on a regular basis. If your child has any “worrisome” signs, it is a good idea to report these to your doctor’s office and ask for advice. When “serious-illness-likely” signs are present, it is important that you make an appointment for your child to be seen promptly.
When you make the call to your doctor, give details such as when your child became ill, your child’s symptoms, and any signs that are “worrisome” or “serious illness is likely”, and any medications you have given. Do not be afraid to ask questions or have information repeated.
Unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, or abnormal color (very pale or blue), are obvious signs of a serious illness – call 911 if you ever observe these symptoms.
Common Colds – Safe Relief for Nasal Congestion and Cough
In the first 3-4 years of life, children catch an average of six to eight colds a year. The average cold can last three weeks. If you add up the time that your child is catching a cold, sick with a cold, and getting over a cold, almost half of the year is a “cold season”!
Until a child is old enough to blow his or her own nose, clearing the mucus with a suction bulb can make your child more comfortable. The use of over the counter saline nose drops (1-2 drops in each nostril) makes the mucus easier to remove. Saline nose drops can be purchased over the counter (without a doctor’s prescription).
Placing a cool-mist humidifier (vaporizer) in your child's room can help keep your child more comfortable. Be sure to clean and dry the humidifier thoroughly each day to prevent bacterial or mold contamination.
Hot-water vaporizers are not recommended since they can cause serious burns.
For children over the age of one year, consider using honey to relieve a cough:
- Do not give honey to babies under one year—it is not safe.
- For children ages 1 to 5 years: Try half a teaspoon of honey.
- For children ages 6 to 11: Try one teaspoon of honey.
- For children 12 or older: Try two teaspoons of honey.
If honey is given at bedtime, make sure your child's teeth are brushed afterward.
Over the Counter Medicines
Do not use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without first checking with your doctor. Many commonly available OTC medicines for can cause harmful side effects in children. Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines should not be given to infants and children under 6 years of age because of the risk of life-threatening side effects. Many OTC cold medicines already have acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic) in them.
Giving one of these medicines along with acetaminophen or (Tylenol or generic), would give your child a double dose.
Fever relief:
- If your child has a fever and is uncomfortable, give him or her single-ingredient acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (also known as Motrin or Advil).
- For a baby 3 to 6 months old, give only acetaminophen. Check with your doctor first if your baby is younger than 3 months.
- Ibuprofen is approved for use in children 6 months of age and older; however, it should not be given to children who are dehydrated or who are vomiting repeatedly.
- Do not give your child aspirin, which has been linked with Reye syndrome, a rare but very serious illness that affects the liver and the brain.
- Always measure each dose using a device (syringe, cup, or spoon) that is marked in milliliters (mL).
Prevention
Healthy habits can help you and your child avoid illness and the spread of infection.
- Wash hands:
- after changing diapers, going to the bathroom, cleaning bathrooms, washing soiled linens/clothing
- after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose
- after wiping or bulb suctioning your child’s nose
- before eating or cooking
- after visiting sick friends or family members
- after touching/caring for family pets
- Do not share drinking glasses, bottles, or silverware, or toothbrushes.
- Protect irritated skin from further irritation and possible infection (nose irritated from wiping/blowing, diaper irritation from having diarrhea). Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) can help a great deal with this.
symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment - Articles - ON CLINIC Baby
Currently, in nature, there are more than 200 types of viruses that cause SARS. With this disease, damage to the upper respiratory tract is noted, which determines the first signs of SARS in a child.
It is not necessary to determine the type of virus that caused the disease in each specific case, because all viral diseases have approximately the same approach to treatment. It is known that SARS can be caused by coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, etc. But it is important for parents not to answer the question of which specific virus affected their child's body - it is much more important to understand how dangerous the condition in which the baby is now, and what measures take until qualified medical assistance arrives.
Essence and symptoms of the disease
SARS or acute respiratory viral infection is an acute inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by a viral infection.
The infection that causes SARS is spread by airborne droplets. Both adults and children are susceptible to it. Moreover, the younger the age of the sick child, the more severe the disease.
The main signs of SARS in a child are symptoms of acute inflammation of the nasopharynx (cough, runny nose, sore throat, etc.
). Moreover, the defeat of the upper respiratory tract can begin much earlier than the rise in temperature in a sick child.
The temperature during SARS in a child rises to 37.5 ° C - 39.0 ° C. Such a temperature response of the body clearly indicates infection and the reaction of the child's body immunity to the introduction of viruses.
Along with a sharp jump in temperature, there is a weakening of the baby's body, drowsiness, moodiness.
Lack of appetite, headache, nausea and even vomiting are clear signs of the onset of SARS.
These symptoms are directly related to the phenomena of intoxication of the body with the decay products of viral agents, as well as changes in the state of internal balance (homeostasis) due to the immune response.
In case of acute respiratory viral infections and with symptoms of inflammation of the mucosa, the following are noted:
- copious nasal discharge,
- possible symptoms of acute sinusitis,
- there is pain and sore throat, lacrimation.
Cough with SARS in a child can be dry or wet, with a discharge of bronchial secretions.
First aid measures for ARVI in a child
If a child falls ill with ARVI, then it should be shown to the doctor as soon as possible to prescribe treatment in accordance with the symptoms of the disease.
Particular attention is required if the child has a high temperature during SARS. In this case, it is advisable to call a pediatrician at home for examination and treatment.
"ON CLINIC Baby" offers not only consultations of pediatricians directly in the clinic, but also home visits of specialists - within the framework of the chosen medical attachment program.
ON CLINIC Baby attachment programs are a great help for modern parents! In this case, the child will have a personal pediatrician who will arrive during the illness on the first call. Your baby will be able to receive timely assistance from doctors of other specializations, and will undergo the diagnostic examination necessary for his age without queues and delays.
"ON CLINIC Baby": thousands of families trust us with the health of their children! Join now!
A cold in a child: how to treat it correctly
Many parents are ready for the fact that their kids will pick up common, including seasonal infections, which is typical for childhood. Some parents study the methods of treating ARVI and colds in advance, read about it from experienced mothers in blogs and diaries, consult with doctors they know, and watch medical programs. But even despite the fact that the child's body from birth has a powerful immune system, this protection is imperfect. Therefore, no matter how informed the mother is, when the child becomes ill, she has a lot of questions that require qualified answers.
What is ARI and ARVI
Most often, children are faced with acute respiratory diseases, abbreviated as acute respiratory infections or colds. This is especially evident when visiting children's groups, where they come into contact with other kids, and actually exchange various pathogens.
The mothers of "kindergarten" children are very familiar with the phrase: "We go for 2 days, then 2 weeks - on sick leave."
A cold can be both viral and bacterial, even fungal and of a different nature, in 70-80% of cases it is of a viral nature. It is impossible to establish the origin of a cold with accuracy on a pediatric examination, as well as “by eye” to distinguish one infection from another. However, there are certain signs that indicate the action of viruses, harmful bacteria and other pathogens. For example, nasal mucus is indicative of an acute respiratory viral infection, which usually begins with mild malaise, decreased appetite, moodiness, and sleep disturbance in a child. This is a prodromal period, it lasts from several hours to 1-2 days. And such a viral infection as the flu begins acutely, immediately with a very high temperature, intoxication, there is almost no prodromal period, dry cough appears in the late stages of the disease. Often SARS passes with catarrhal symptoms: nasal congestion, change in tone of voice, "circles", "blue" under the eyes, runny nose, discharge from the nose, cough, sore throat and swallowing.
What to do?
First of all, you need to remember that parents should not panic if the child has a fever and other unpleasant symptoms of a cold. Any mood of the mother is transmitted to the baby. A cold with a competent approach is simply MUST pass in 5-7 days without complications. And it is important to know that the treatment of a cold is complex, which includes the main drugs - antiviral, antibacterial, etc., as well as symptomatic therapy. You should not rely on just one medicine as a panacea, a magic pill from advertising or the advice of a pharmacy worker.
How to treat?
Antivirals. Now there is a lot of false information regarding antiviral drugs. They are credited with mythical side effects and actions. If this comes from a doctor, then he must provide data confirming his point of view in official sources, which are state medical institutions, major scientific journals.
Antibiotics.
As for antibiotics, their use is currently limited by very clear indications, contraindications, age of the patient, etc. In addition, antibiotics, especially with uncontrolled, frequent use, contribute to the formation of new strains of harmful bacteria that are difficult to treat. Usually, against the background of antibiotic treatment, it is customary to prescribe biological products - live microbes that make up the human intestinal microflora. But there is an opinion that the antibiotic has a detrimental effect on these bacteria, and such therapy does not bring the desired result.
Auxiliaries . In the treatment of colds of any origin, symptomatic therapy is used, the action of which is directed against the symptoms of the disease. They are called auxiliary, as they help to alleviate the course of a cold. They do not get rid of the cause of ARVI, but the child's own antibodies work against viruses.
How to treat a runny nose? In case of a runny nose, a nasal toilet with saline solutions is performed.
The procedure is simple, but requires certain skills and care. To do this, you should seat the child with his back to him, first clean his nose. In babies, this can be done with cotton buds (in children under six months old, only with ordinary cotton turundas), and at an older age, children can already blow their nose. After that, you need to raise the chin, holding the child's face with his palm in a raised position. Using a pipette, drip saline solution into both nasal passages, lower the child's head forward. Part of the medicine may spill out of the nose, but the result of such a procedure will still be achieved. If there are no special recommendations from the pediatrician of the sick child, you can use a pipette and normal saline. But preferably a sterile solution based on sea water. It is a delusion to think that washing a child's nose will be addictive or the snot will flow out on its own. Part, of course, can leak out, but if you do not clean your nose, there is a high risk of infection spreading to the lower respiratory tract, the development of complications such as inflammation of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
If the runny nose is profuse, watery, painful, accompanied by nasal congestion, vasoconstrictor drugs (based on oxymetazoline, xylometazoline) are used in the form of drops at bedtime, before walking with the child. This helps the baby to have a good rest in a dream without waking up, and on a walk it is normal to breathe through the nose without taking cold air into the mouth. It should not be instilled into the nose of a child in a supine state, since there is a high probability of a change in pressure during such manipulation and there is a risk of otitis media. All instillations must be done while sitting. The use of special preparations in the form of soft (spray with limited jet pressure) should be carried out with great care, since there is also a risk of promoting the spread of infection under pressure.
Antipyretics . Often there are questions about the use of antipyretics, for children - these are drugs based on paracetamol or ibuprofen, for babies - in syrup, suppositories.
It should be noted that if there are no special recommendations in this regard, it is necessary to reduce the temperature above 38.3 - 38.5 ° С. If the child feels well, plays, has an appetite, and, in general, tolerates temperature well, antipyretic drugs can not be used. If the parents see that the child's condition is bad, he refuses to eat and drink, becomes lethargic, vomiting occurs, headache, the temperature rises further, you can start giving antipyretics even at a low temperature.
How to treat a cough? Questions about cough are the most frequent and sometimes the most difficult at pediatric appointments for SARS. It is best if the doctor dynamically observes the coughing child. In this case, the specialist can distinguish changes in the tone of the voice, a barking component, a dry or wet cough, wheezing, localization of wheezing. If the pediatrician recommends taking an x-ray, you should not refuse such an examination, this will help to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
Currently, in the treatment of cough, inhalation drugs are widely used - through a special device - an inhaler. This tactic reduces the systemic effect of the drug on the child's body, where the drug reaches the point of its application - large and medium bronchi, and even alveoli. Inhalers can be used from the very birth of a child, but it is necessary to pay attention to the type of device, the medicinal substances recommended for it, their dosages and the frequency of use.
Activities before the doctor arrives
Sometimes, especially during the season of high incidence of flu and colds, there are difficulties with a doctor's visit, you have to wait for an appointment, the doctor does not have time to come as quickly as parents would like. There are steps that can be taken before the arrival of a specialist. It is necessary to measure the temperature of the child and write down the data on the thermometry performed in a diary, which is then shown to the doctor.
