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Symptoms of serious illness in babies and children
10-minute read
Call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department if your child is very drowsy, has difficulty breathing, their skin is pale, blotchy or blue, they have had a seizure or they have a rash that does not fade when you press on it.
Key facts
- Most illnesses in babies and children are mild and will go away without medical treatment.
- If you suspect that your child is more seriously ill, you should get medical attention — you know your child best.
- If your child is under 3 months old and has a fever, take them to your nearest emergency department.
When should I call triple zero?
Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance or go to your nearest emergency department if your child:
- has difficulty breathing
- has pale, blotchy or blue skin around their lips
- is very drowsy (sleepy)
- has a rash that does not fade when you press on it
- has a seizure
- becomes very unwell very quickly
- has a burn, broken bone or head injury
Young babies need urgent care if they:
- cry all the time
- have a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on top of their head)
If your child is under 3 months old and has a fever, take them to the emergency department.
Childhood illnesses that need urgent medical attention
There are many serious childhood illnesses and conditions. Your child should see a doctor urgently if you are concerned that they may have one of these conditions.
Anaphylaxis
If you think your child is having anaphylaxis, use their adrenaline autoinjector immediately. Then call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. Some causes of anaphylaxis in children are:
- foods — peanuts, milk, eggs, soy, fish and wheat
- insect bites and stings — bee and wasp stings and jack jumper ant stings
- some medicines
Use your child's adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen or Anapen), if you think they're having an allergic reaction and they:
- have difficult or noisy breathing
- have a wheeze or ongoing cough
- have swelling of the tongue
- have swelling or tightness in their throat
- have difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
- have ongoing dizziness, or collapse
- go pale and floppy (in young children)
Then call an ambulance.
If you do not have an adrenaline autoinjector, call an ambulance straight away.
Check what to do next on your child's ASCIA Action Plan if they have one.
Asthma
Asthma can be life threatening — if your child is finding it hard to breathe, take them to the nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Asthma is a common illness in children. It causes:
- wheezing
- coughing
- problems with breathing
If your child has any of these symptoms you should take them to the doctor.
About 1 in 10 children has asthma.
If your child has an asthma episode you should follow their asthma action plan or:
- Sit them upright and stay calm.
- Shake a blue reliever puffer and, through a spacer, give a puff. Ask your child to take 4 breaths from the spacer. Repeat 4 times.
- Wait 4 minutes. If your child's asthma doesn't improve, repeat the step above.
- If your child still does not improve, call an ambulance. Tell them that your child is having an asthma emergency.
- Continue to give your child their reliever medicine while waiting for the ambulance.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a medical emergency. If you are worried that your child has meningitis, go to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It's usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Meningitis can be life-threatening. Symptoms include:
- fever
- vomiting
- headache
- a sore or stiff neck
- vomiting
- being bothered by bright light
Your child may have a rash that does not go away when you press their skin.
Pneumonia
If your child is having difficulty breathing, go to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by a bacteria or virus. A cold can sometimes lead to pneumonia. Symptoms include:
- high fever
- fast and difficult breathing
- cough
- chest pain
See your doctor if you think that your child has pneumonia. If your child is very sick with pneumonia they may need to have treatment in hospital.
Seizure
If your child has a seizure for the first time or a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to your nearest emergency department.
A seizure is caused by rapid and uncoordinated electrical activity in the brain. It can cause stiffening and jerking of your child's arms and legs, and they may lose consciousness.
Children can have a seizure when they have a very high temperature. This is called a febrile convulsion and is quite common.
If your child has a seizure, stay with them until it has finished.
Call an ambulance or take your child to hospital if:
- this is your child's first seizure
- the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes
- your child has trouble breathing
- your child injures themselves
Sepsis
Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you suspect your child has sepsis, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to your nearest emergency department.
Sepsis is when your child has a lot of inflammation caused by a serious infection.
Get urgent medical attention if your child:
- has a rash that does not fade when you press it
- is breathing very fast
- has a fast heartbeat
- is cold, clammy and their skin is bluish
- is very drowsy
Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the:
Symptoms include:
- pain or burning when your child urinates (does a wee)
- pain in their lower abdomen (tummy)
- a need to urinate more often than usual
- smelly urine
- fever or vomiting
See your doctor if your child has any of these symptoms. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney infection.
When should I see a doctor?
If your child is sick and you're worried about them, take them to see a doctor. Most illnesses in babies and children are mild and do not need medical treatment. But if you suspect something more serious, you should get medical attention. You know your child best.
Your doctor can help manage:
Your doctor will give you advice on how to manage these symptoms and avoid dehydration. Your child may be at risk of dehydration if they:
- will not drink
- are not passing urine (weeing), or have less than half the usual number of wet nappies
- are repeatedly vomiting (being sick)
Learn how to tell if your child is sick.
Medicare urgent care clinics can provide treatment for illnesses that don't require emergency care. Find an urgent care clinic near you.
You can check your child's symptoms with healthdirect's online Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.
The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it's self-care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
Resources and support
Find out more about common childhood illnesses.
The Royal Children's Hospital has fact sheets on a variety of childhood conditions. They have translated fact sheets in other languages too.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.