How do I know what's wrong?
As a parent you will probably already be very good at noticing when something is not quite right with your child. However, deciding exactly what is wrong can be more difficult and often assessing young a child’s symptoms can be hard because they often cannot tell you how they feel.
In addition, infants can become seriously ill very quickly, so you need to be aware of the symptoms that may indicate serious problems and require urgent medical attention.
These include:
- fits or convulsions
- turning blue or very pale (check the palms of dark skinned infants)
- refusing feeds
- unusually frantic or prolonged crying
- a purple/red rash anywhere on the body (this can indicate meningitis)
- a very high temperature (over 39°C), especially if there is a rash
- a fever with cold and clammy hands and feet
- difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- unusually drowsy or difficult to wake
- severe or prolonged diarrhoea.
If you are unsure whether your infant requires medical attention, speak to your doctor or call NHS direct on 0845 46 47 – they are available 24 hours a day. You should always visit your doctor if you are worried about your child’s health. Try not to worry if you don’t leave with a prescription, it doesn’t mean your visit was a waste of time. Doctors and nurses are there to help you learn about your child’s health and reassure you if you have concerns.
Having a sick or upset child to look after can be hard work, so make sure you look after yourself too. Try to ensure you find time to sleep, relax and if possible remember to share the burden of care. If you do find yourself are struggling to cope, contact your doctor or health visitor who will be able to offer you support. Alternatively, you may wish to call the charity-run telephone helpline Cry-sis (Telephone: 020 7404 5011).
