When to ask for medical help

Doctors, nurses and medical professionals won't mind if you ask them for reassurance if you're worried about your child's health or need help.

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals won't mind if you consult them for reassurance if you're worried about your child's health.

For minor ailments you can try your local pharmacist before ringing your doctor's surgery. Or you can ring NHS Direct 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (0845 46 47). In some areas there are walk-in clinics open seven days a week. Like many doctors, I quickly learned that one person whose opinion can't be dismissed is the mother's. So when in doubt seek medical advice, especially if you notice any of the following:

Seek medical help during temperature rise

If your child's temperature rises above 38°C (100.4°F) and he is obviously ill.
If the temperature rises above 39.4°C (103°F) even if there are no apparent signs of illness.
When a fever, having been high, drops and then rises again.
When the temperature is accompanied by infantile seizures.
When your child has fever, stiff neck, a headache and sensitivity to light.
When a baby has had a temperature of 37°C (98.6°F) for 24 hours.
When a child has had a temperature of over 37°C (98.6°F) for three days.
When your baby's skin feels cold and he is drowsy, unusually quiet and limp, though his face, hands and feet are pink (possibly hypothermia).
If a fever is accompanied by a rash of red or purple blood spots that don't disappear when pressed. Check this by pressing a glass to the skin and looking through it to see if the rash is still visible. If it is, get medical help immediately: it could be meningitis.

Seek medical help during pain and discomfort

When your child feels sick and dizzy and complains of headaches.
When your child complains of blurred vision, especially after having had a blow on the head.
When your child has severe griping pains at regular intervals.
When your child has a pain in the right side of his stomach and feels sick.

Breathing

If your child's breathing is laboured and you notice that his ribs are being drawn sharply inwards with each breath.

Seek medical help incase of loss of appetite

If your child is normally a good eater.
If your baby's under six months.

Wounds

When your child has had any kind of serious accident or burn.
When your child has lost consciousness, no matter how briefly.
When acid gets into your child's eye.
When the wound is deep or has caused serious loss of blood.
When your child has been bitten by an animal, a human or a snake.
When the eye has actually been pierced by an object.

Vomiting

If the vomiting is violent, prolonged or excessive.
If your baby is very young - it may cause rapid dehydration.

Diarrhoea

If your baby's very young - it could cause dehydration.
If it is accompanied by abdominal pain, temperature or any obvious illness.

Questions you may be asked

When you seek medical advice you are likely to be asked a number of questions and it's important to answer these as accurately as you can.

Some specific questions may include the following: has your child vomited or had diarrhoea? Does he have any pain? Where is it? How long has it lasted? Have you given him anything for it? Is his temperature raised? How quickly did the fever come on and what was his highest temperature? Has he lost consciousness? Have you noticed swollen glands or a rash? Has he had any dizziness or blurred vision? You may also be asked about your child's appetite and sleeping patterns.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

Posted 30.06.2010

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