An unwell child may become less active and drowsy and may want to sleep more than usual. 

• floppiness
• a weak cry
• irritability
• not responding to people or things around them.
   

When a child is having difficulty breathing, they may:

• have a blue, white, or grey colour around the lips, tongue, gums, ears, and fingernails
• flare their nostrils when breathing in through the nose
• make noses like grunts, coughs, wheezes, and snores
• breathe very fast
• have retractions - when skin pulls in around the chest, neck, and ribs in an upside-down V-shape as they breathe
• bob their head back and forth
• sit leaning forward on their arms
• stop or pause breathing.  

Breathing difficulty is a medical emergency. Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your nearest emergency department.

Serious signs of illness on the skin can include:

• cyanosis – lack of oxygen that causes a blue, white, or grey tint around the lips, tongue, gums, ears, and fingernails
• skin that is paler than normal 
• skin that is a purple-mottled colour 
• bright red or purple spots or bruises.

A purple rash that does not blanch or fade when pressed can be serious and may be a sign of meningococcal infection. 

You can check for this at home by pressing a clear drinking glass on the skin and seeing if the rash fades. If it does not, call your local doctor immediately.
 

Children are at risk of dehydration if they lose more fluid through vomiting and diarrhoea than they take in through eating and drinking.

Serious signs of dehydration can include:

• dark urine 
• fewer wet nappies or trips to the toilet than usual 
• sunken eyes 
• skin that looks more pale than normal 
• dry lips or tongue 
• in young babies - a sunken fontanelle, the soft spot in the head.

Other serious signs include:

• blood in urine or poo
• green or yellow-coloured vomit.

These signs are a medical emergency. Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your nearest emergency department. 

Fever is a body temperature higher than 38°C.

Fever is usually a general sign of illness, but can be more serious depending on:

• how old your child is
• how long the fever goes for
• other symptoms that your child has, like shivering.

If your child has a fever and is:

• under three months old – go to your nearest emergency department
•  up to 12 months old and you are concerned, see your local doctor.

See your local doctor if your child is over 12 months old and the fever has lasted more than four days.

Seizures are short, sudden, uncontrolled changes in your child’s movement and behaviour.

They can be caused by:

• high fever, also known as febrile seizures
• trauma to the head
• illness
• conditions like epilepsy.

During a seizure, you will need to:

• move away any objects your child could hit or fall onto
• place something soft under their head
• try rolling them onto their side.

Seek medical attention if your child:

• has a seizure for the first time
• has a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes
• has a seizure in water and has trouble breathing
• has an injury during or after the seizure
• breathes in liquid or food during the seizure
• doesn’t breathe normally after the seizure 
• stays blue around the lips
• is not recovering as expected.

Remember to:

• take your child’s temperature with a thermometer under the arm if they feel hot
• remove a layer of clothing if they are hot to the touch
• offer fluids regularly to prevent dehydration
• continue breastmilk, or infant formula feeds as usual for babies under six months
• keep a diary of symptoms, including the amount of food, fluids, urine, vomit, and diarrhoea
• check on your child regularly during the night to monitor symptoms.

You can use over-the-counter medications to help your child feel better if they are uncomfortable and irritable, and are not allergic:

• paracetamol can be used for children over one month old
• ibuprofen can be used for children over three months old 
• never give your child aspirin unless your doctor has told you to.

Read the instructions on the package closely for information about:

• how much to give, based on your child’s weight
• how often to give the medication
• the maximum amount you can give in 24 hours.

Speak to your local doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about specific medications for your child.