Something else
Symptoms in children don’t always fit into a neat box.
However, the following assessment tool will provide a good indication of how unwell your child or baby is, whether they need to see a healthcare professional and who or where this should be.
The app is designed to help you assess your child for acute problems (things that have just started or have got worse recently). For longer term problems please look at the Healthier Together website or call your GP if you are worried for a non urgent appointment.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
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Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
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Makes a grunting noise every time they breathe out
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A harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor) present all of the time (even when they are not upset)
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Becomes pale, blue, mottled and/or unusually cold to touch
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Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
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Weak, high-pitched, continuous cry or can’t be settled
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Has a fit (seizure)
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Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
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Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
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Develops severe pain even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
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Has dark green or blood stained vomit
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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:
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Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs
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A harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor) only when upset
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Dry skin, lips or tongue
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Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
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Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)
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Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
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Is 3-6 months old with temperature 39oC or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
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Temperature of 38oC or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever(rigors)
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Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
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Has tummy pain that doesn’t go away for more than 1 day even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
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Has blood in their poo or wee
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Is very thirsty or is weeing a lot more than normal
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Has diabetes and their blood sugar levels are too high or too low
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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:
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Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
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Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here.
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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
This content has been developed by healthcare professionals from across the UK in collaboration with the RCPCH.
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.
Self-care
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Sound advice
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.