What to do if your child is unwell
Treat at home, Call 111 or Visit A&E
What to do if your child has a cough, cold or virus
Coughs, colds, or viruses are common among young children and may result in your child experiencing breathing difficulties. Although it can take 2-3 weeks for children to get better, these illnesses can often be treated at home.
Treat at home
Treat children at home if they are:
-
Taking in more than half of normal feeds, and -
Making wet nappies, or -
Their high temperature lasts less than 5 days.
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Call 111
If symptoms get worse, then it’s time to ask for help. Call 111 as your first point of contact, if your child is:
-
Taking in less than half of normal feeds, or -
Their temperature is higher than 38 ˚C and lasts more than 5 days.
Visit A&E
The Emergency Department is for life-threatening symptoms. Call 999 or go to Accident & Emergency when your child has:
- Long pauses between breathing, or
- Severe difficulties or is gasping for breath, or
- Their tongue or lips go blue, or grey or white on brown or black skin.
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What to do if your child is unwell guide