When your child is ill or injured it is very difficult to decide if/when to call your child’s GP, NHS 111, or go the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E). While the government is asking everyone to stay at home, it can be confusing to know what to do. Here is some guidance around what to do if your child shows any of the following symptoms or signs.
You Should Go To A&E And/ Call 999 Immediately If:
Appearance
- Pale/mottled/ashen/blue colour
- Collapsed/unresponsive/loss of consciousness
- No obvious pulse or heartbeat
- Severe allergic reaction
Behaviour
- Extreme irritability/pain/sleepiness (can be woken but falls asleep immediately)
- Seizure/jerking movement/fit
Breathing
- Sucking in and out between ribs
- Flaring nostrils
- Extremely fast breathing
- Unusually noisy breathing
Other
- Bleeding from an injury that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure
- Fever with a stiff neck
You Should Go To A&E If:
Appearance
- Dizziness/feeling faint
- Rash that does not fade when you press it
Behaviour
- Severe tummy pain
Other
- Burn
- Possible broken bone
- Swallowed foreign objects (especially magnets/ batteries)
- Temperature higher than 38°C in a baby younger than 3 months
- Your child has a special health care needs and you have a plan that tells you to go to A&E
- Feels abnormally cold to touch
- Expressing suicidal/significant self harm thoughts
- Head injury
You Should Call Your GP If:
Appearance
- Mild/moderate allergic reaction (known or suspected)
- New rash that fades when you press it
Behaviour
- Mild irritability/sleepier than normal
- Moderate tummy pain
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Not passed urine for more than 12 hours
Breathing
- Wheezing/fast breathing
Other
- Temperature >39°C (age 3-12 months)
- Temperature over 38°C for 5 days or more
- Accidental overdose of medication or other substances
- Ear pain for more than 2 days
- Emotional distress (when your child cannot be reassured)
You Should Use 111 Online Or Call 111 If:
Appearance
- Pink eyes/red eyes
Behaviour
- Ear pain for less than 2 days
- Mild tummy pain
Breathing
- Cough
- Runny nose
Other
- Temperature over 38°C for less than 5 days
For www.nhs.uk.
For more information please view the Advice For Parents During Coronavirus leaflet.