If your child is ill, you as a parent can be quite concerned. Most complaints will ultimately prove innocent. In some cases, however, there is more to it. Certain symptoms or complaints can be alarming, so as a mother or father you must pay close attention to your child. If your children show symptoms that appear in this list, this does not mean that you should immediately go to the doctor. You should only do this if you notice that it is serious.
High fever
All children will suffer from fever at some point. You usually don’t have to worry about that. It is one of the ways the body can fight bacterial and viral infections. In general, you should call your doctor:
- In a baby younger than 7 weeks with a fever of 38.4 degrees or higher. You should then contact your doctor immediately. Outside working hours you must contact the GP post immediately.
- In a baby younger than 3 months with a fever of 38.4 degrees or higher. You should therefore contact your doctor immediately. However, in most cases you do not have to immediately contact the GP post. You should only do this if you notice that it is serious.
If your child (all ages) has a fever and one or more of the following symptoms:
- If his/her temperature is 40 degrees or higher and the fever does not go down after you give your child medicine
- Lethargy
- A severe form of irritability. For example, you can think of hours of crying for hours.
- Febrile convulsions
- Various symptoms of meningitis. This may include neck stiffness, headache and vomiting.
Cuts and abrasions
If you have children, you know that it is quite normal for your children to get cuts and scrapes while playing. You generally don’t have to worry about that. After 30 minutes the bleeding should have stopped. If the wound continues to bleed, it is best to see a doctor. Your child may need stitches. If you notice that your child has severe bleeding, it is important that you see a doctor. Especially if the wound is located in a risk area. Consider the artery. It is also very wise to go to the doctor if you notice that your child has a yellow or black wound or has contracted a serious form of infection.
Skin rash
Many children sometimes suffer from a skin rash and this can in principle occur anywhere on the body. So if you find spots on your child’s body, don’t worry. There are several types of rashes your child could have. Skin rashes can be caused by various factors. Dry skin is usually the culprit, but it can also be a symptom of an allergic reaction. If your child is not bothered by it and it does not go away after a few days, you could make an appointment with your doctor. In addition, you should also contact your doctor if you notice that the rash is purple or painful. You should also contact your doctor if your child is experiencing other serious symptoms in addition to a rash. This includes fever or vomiting.
Painful joints
Just like adults, children can suffer from painful joints. A child might especially experience this if they play a sport or are very active. In general, you should call your doctor:
- If your child suffers from painful joints in combination with fever.
- If your child suffers from swollen joints
- If your child can no longer move his joints due to intense pain.
You mainly do this to rule out conditions such as Henoch-Schönlein disease, rheumatic diseases or inflammation. If your child suffers from these symptoms, it does not automatically mean that your child has some kind of ailment. It is also possible that your child is suffering from a sprain, for example.
Headache
Most children will complain of headaches occasionally. In general, headaches are a harmless complaint. In most cases, headaches can be treated easily with painkillers. It could also be a possibility that your child suffers from migraines or tension headaches. That’s very bad, but not something you need to worry about.
In general, you should call your doctor:
- If your child has a headache more than once a month.
- If your child is under 7 years old.
- If your child complains of a very painful form of headache.
- If your child has a headache for a long period of time.
If your child has a headache and one or more of the following symptoms:
- A drastic reduction in alertness
- Vomit
- Headache when your child wakes up or headache that wakes your child up.
- Headache after a head injury or loss of consciousness
- Headache accompanied by epileptic seizures
- Skin rash
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Difficulty speaking
- Neck pain
- Unable to attend school or participate in daily routines and activities
- Changes in personality
- Drinking or urinating a lot
Blue lips
There are several possible causes why your child might have blue lips. Usually there is nothing serious going on and blue lips are caused by cold, exhaustion or a temporary lack of oxygen. However, if you are unsure about the cause of your child’s blue lips, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Blue lips can be a symptom of various serious ailments.
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