When to Worry if Your Child is Unwell?
| Symptom | Manage at Home | Seek Medical Advice |
| Snotty nose, Cough | Plenty of fluids, paracetamol (always check packaging for correct dose) | |
| Temperature | If your child is still active, eating/drinking – try paracetamol/ibuprofen & fluids | If child is listless, lethargic, disinterested in eating/drinking |
| Rash | If it passes the glass test – press a glass tumbler against it. If the colour disappears, it passes | If the colour remains during the glass test seek immediate medical advice |
| Vomiting | Frequent small sips of water to prevent dehydration – if a child is peeing regularly, they won’t be significantly dehydrated | If your child does not pee for 6-7 hours |
| Coughing | Coughs can generally last 3-6 weeks after a cold has gone. This is normal | If child is struggling to breathe, if they are choking, if breathing is laboured or so fast they cannot eat or drink, if they are pale or blue |
| Wheezing | A whistling noise when breathing out. Common in asthma and viral infections. Don’t worry if they are managing to talk normally, are active and can drink and eat | If child is struggling to breathe, if their ribs are sucking in and out, if they are too breathless to talk or if they are lethargic |
Where Can I Find Out More?
Visit NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk/Conditions or the patient website at www.patient.co.uk for more information. Remember that your pharmacist can also assist you in assessing your symptoms.