What are symptoms of a serious illness in children?

Symptoms of serious illness in children include:

• Severe neck stiffness or pain and fussiness.
• Extreme sleepiness, difficulty waking up or a lack of alertness.
• A bulging soft spot (fontanel) on a baby's head.
• Rapid, difficult breathing.
• Drooling and not wanting to swallow.
• Severe pain.
• Signs of severe dehydration.
• Blue or purple skin or mucous membranes (cyanosis).
• New skin rash or spontaneous bruising.
• New swelling, pain, redness or warmth in one or more joints.
• Fever of105°F (40.6°C) or higher 30 to 60 minutes after giving medication for fever.
• Any signs of a urinary tract infection, such as pain or burning with urination or urinating frequently and in small amounts. Immediate medical care may be needed when fever, vomiting or a seizure occurs along with signs of a serious illness.

In a child ages one or older, these warning signs of severe illness should set off your “red alert” button and prompt a call to your pediatrician or doctor. They are often (but not always) medical emergencies that must be treated right away:

• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe headache or neck pain
• Increasing trouble breathing or chest pain
• General listlessness, dry mouth, crying with no tears, not urinating, or urinating very dark urine (all signs of dehydration).

From The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and Accidents by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

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