• Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to the touch
• Has pauses in their breathing (apnoeas), has an irregular breathing pattern or starts grunting
• Severe difficulty in breathing becoming agitated or unresponsive
• Is going blue round the lips
• Has a fit/seizure
• Becomes extremely distressed (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused, very lethargic (difficult to wake) or unresponsive
• Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass test’)
• Has testicular pain, especially in teenage boys

You need urgent help:

Go to the nearest A&E department
or phone 999

• Is finding it hard to breathe including drawing in of the muscles below their lower ribs, at their neck or between their ribs (recession) or head bobbing
• Seems dehydrated (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, drowsy or passing less urine than usual)
• Is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) - especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
• Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain
• Babies under 3 months of age with a temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F
• Infants 3-6 months of age with a temperature above 39°C / 102.2°F
• For all infants and children with a fever above 38°C for more than 5 days.
• Is getting worse or if you are worried
• Has persistent vomiting and/or persistent severe abdominal pain
• Has blood in their poo or wee
• Any limb injury causing reduced movement, persistent pain or head injury causing persistent crying or drowsiness

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call
NHS 111 - dial 111

The NHS is working for you.
However, we recognise during the current coronavirus crisis at peak times, access to a health care professional may be delayed.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a GP or 111, then take your child to the nearest A&E

• You can continue to provide your child care at home. Information is also available on NHS Choices
• Additional advice is available to families for coping with crying of well babies
• Additional advice is available for children with complex health needs and disabilities.

Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at
home. If you are still concerned about your
child, call NHS 111 - dial 111