Is my child in need of urgent or emergency care?

The following lists some of the symptoms or indications of a need for urgent or emergency assessment:

• loss of consciousness, confusion, persistent drowsiness;

• unexplained fever, especially a high fever or one that does not go away quickly;

• significant lethargy or floppiness;

• dehydration symptoms- including saggy skin, lethargy, no urine output, nappies being dry when you expected they would have been wet, no tears when crying, sunken abdomen;

• significant pain symptoms;

• loss of ability to walk;

• stiff neck;

• rash-a rapidly developing new rash,

• rash-a non-blanching rash (the redness or darker colour does not disappear where you press down on the skin with a glass);

• respiratory difficulties- watch this video to learn about the signs of respiratory distress needing emergency care:

  • Respiratory Distress signs in babies:-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX3CZnrLxbQ

  • signs of respiratory distress include pallid or blue lips and skin around the mouth or on fingertips, work of breathing (noticeable extra sucking in of chest) or unusual new breathing noise.

• any other serious and urgent concern you may have.

• rapid deterioration in your child's condition.

If these signs or symptoms are present and continuing, you should take your child to your nearest Paediatric Emergency Department. If your child is very unwell or deteriorating rapidly, call an ambulance by phoning 000.