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The kid is moaning, looks gloomy and lethargic. How do you know if there is something serious with your child? Or maybe just a slight indisposition? After all, young children often cannot really explain what worries them and how bad they are.
Should I call a doctor or not? This sacred question is asked by the mother every time, as soon as the child begins to whimper and show all the signs of malaise. We decided to draw up a memo: when you need to rush to the hospital at breakneck speed, and when you just need to be patient. And by the way, the most important advice that doctors give: no matter what happens, do not panic.
1. Temperature
The kid is in a fever, and he immediately wants to give an antipyretic and call an ambulance. So, usually an increased temperature accompanies any viral disease. And most often it subsides itself after a couple of days.
When a doctor is needed.
– If a child under the age of three months has a temperature above 38 degrees.
– If the child has a temperature above 39 degrees from three months to six months.
– If the temperature lasts longer than five days.
Tip: do not bring the temperature down until it causes pain or discomfort. Make sure the child is not wrapped up, give him plenty of fluids, and give him acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
2. Convulsions
Seizures or seizures happen when electrical activity in the brain is disrupted. It can be febrile seizures, a syndrome that is quite common among children. They usually outgrow by the age of five. But in any case, you need to see a doctor to rule out meningitis, tumors, or epilepsy.
Tip: If your child has a seizure, lay him down to prevent injury. And call your doctor right away.
3. Breathing problems
Respiratory failure can be a sign of a serious lung infection or airway blockage. One of the external symptoms is small depressions in the neck or between the ribs. Babies may begin to breathe by flaring their nostrils violently, and babies sometimes grunt or make grunting noises when they breathe.
Tip: calm the child down first. Sometimes difficulty breathing is a purely nervous reaction. If your lips turn blue or blue appears around your mouth, call an ambulance. Otherwise, see your doctor when the attack is over.
4. Vomiting
Children feel sick for many reasons – for example, it can be reflux or gastroenteritis. Moreover, they can be vomited both with food eaten and with gastric juice.
When you need a doctor.
– Vomiting is very strong, even water does not stay in the stomach – there is a risk of dehydration.
– Vomit green or bile color – this may indicate intestinal obstruction.
– Nausea so violently that vomiting flies across the room – this can be caused by a stomach disease such as pyloric stenosis in babies.
– Vomiting is accompanied by severe headache.
Tip: children with gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) have a sensitive stomach. Don’t let them eat a lot at a time, but do drink often. At first, gradually and gradually increase the amount of liquid.
5. Rash
Most types of rashes in children are harmless and go away on their own. However, it is worth watching out for redness that does not disappear when pressed. Such redness can be a symptom of the most dangerous diseases, for example, blood poisoning, which happens with meningitis – meningitis sepsis.
Tip: rush to the doctor immediately if the redness does not disappear when pressed and spreads over the body.
6. Dehydration
A child who drinks too little because he is sick or has diarrhea is at risk of dehydration. Its signs:
– increased fatigue;
– dry mouth;
– crying without tears;
– dry eyes;
– little urine.
In such cases, rehydration is needed: either water the child, or in severe cases, resort to intravenous infusions.
Tip: if the child is reluctant to drink, give him fruit drinks, jelly or popsicles.
Top tip: always trust your gut
There is no one specific sign or symptom that XNUMX% represents a serious illness. It is important to see the whole clinical picture as a whole. Therefore, always trust your intuition, as you know your child better than anyone else. If his condition bothers you, it is better to go to the doctor. And if necessary, then twice.