Sickness — danger signs in children
Babies and young children get sick often — it is a normal part of childhood. They will usually get better after a few days. Learn about the danger signs to look out for.
General danger signs
- You cannot wake them, or they respond less than usual to what is going on around them.
- They have glazed eyes and are not focusing on anything.
- They seem more floppy, drowsy or less alert than usual.
- They have a convulsion or fit.
- They have an unusual cry (high pitched, weak or continuous) for 1 hour or more.
- They have severe tummy pain.
- They have a bulge or lump in their groin (where the thigh joins the body) that gets bigger when they cry.
Temperature
- They feel too cold (temperature below 35ºC).
- They feel too hot (temperature above 38.3ºC).
Skin colour and circulation
- Their skin is much paler than usual, or suddenly goes very white.
- Their nails are blue, their big toe is completely white or spotty, or the colour does not return to the toe within 3 seconds of a squeeze.
- The skin around their mouth turns blue.
- A rash develops with reddish-purple spots or bruises. It is especially important if the spots or bruises do not disappear when you press a glass onto them.
Breathing
- They find it difficult to breathe, or stop breathing.
- They breathe more quickly than normal or grunt when breathing out.
- They make a high-pitched whistling sound (wheezing) when breathing out.
Vomiting and diarrhoea
- They have vomited (thrown up) at least half the feed (food or milk) after each of the last 3 feeds.
- Their vomit is green.
- They have both vomiting and diarrhoea (runny poo).
- They have drunk less, and have fewer wet nappies or visits to the toilet than usual.
- They have blood in their poo.