Children
Children — especially babies and toddlers — get ill often, and most illnesses are mild and get better with rest, fluids and time. Because young children cannot tell you clearly how they feel, it helps to know the signs that mean they need to be seen quickly. This page covers the warning signs, common problems, and where to get help.
Looking after yourself
- Offer plenty of small drinks — cool water, breastmilk or formula for babies, or oral rehydration sachets from a pharmacy for older children with diarrhoea or vomiting
- Give paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or a high temperature (follow the dose on the bottle for their age; do not give aspirin to children under 16)
- Keep them home from nursery or school while they are unwell and until they are better
- A pharmacist can advise on children’s medicines and minor illnesses without an appointment
When to get medical help
Use NHS 111 online, call 111, or contact your GP if:
- A baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38°C or higher
- A baby aged 3 to 6 months has a temperature of 39°C or higher
- A child is drowsier than usual, will not wake or is very floppy
- They are not drinking, have had fewer wet nappies, or have a dry mouth or sunken eyes
- They have a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- You are worried about your child — trust your instincts
Call 999 or go to A&E if a child is having difficulty breathing, has blue lips or skin, is unresponsive, has a fit that will not stop, or a rash that does not fade under a pressed glass.
Further information
This page provides general information only. It is not a diagnosis and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.