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.

Seek immediate medical advice

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.

Related websites

KidsHealth

Find out how to do a baby check, about febrile convulsions and fever, how to take your baby’s temperature, hygiene and handwashing and whether your child is sick.

HealthEd

Information describing warning signs of illness in a young child, with a focus on the child’s temperature, breathing, vomiting and diarrhoea.

HealthEd

Information in te reo Māori describing warning signs of illness in a young child, with a focus on the child’s temperature, breathing, vomiting and diarrhoea.

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