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Advice for Parents and Carers
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
- Makes a grunting noise every time they breathe out
- A harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor) present all of the time (even when they are not upset)
- Becomes pale, blue, mottled and/or unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
- Develops severe pain even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Has dark green or blood stained vomit
- Has testicular pain or swelling
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs (recession)
- A harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor) only when upset
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- Temperature of 38oC or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever(rigors)
- Temperature less than 36°C
- Has tummy pain that doesn’t go away for more than 1 day even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Has blood in their poo or wee
- Is very thirsty or is weeing a lot more than normal
- Has diabetes and their blood sugar levels are too high or too low
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a
member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not
developed any red features
If none of the above features are present:
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
- Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here
- If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111
Survey for parents/carers - what was the outcome of you looking at this page?
This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.