Baby and Child Sickness – Danger Signs - English version - HE4240
Two-sided leaflet with English on one side and te reo Māori on the other, describing warning signs of illness in a young child - with a focus on the child's temperature, breathing, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
The full resource:
Get help quickly from a doctor if your baby or young child shows any of the signs listed below. Learn CPR (rescue breathing) to be prepared for emergencies.
General
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Cannot be woken or is responding less than usual to what is going on around.
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Has glazed eyes and is not focusing on anything.
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Seems more floppy, drowsy or less alert than usual.
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Has a convulsion or fit.
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Has an unusual cry (high pitched, weak or continuous) for one hour or more.
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Has severe abdominal pain.
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Has a bulge in the groin that gets bigger with crying.
- Young babies (less than 3 months old) need a more cautious approach. If your child is under 3 months old and you are worried about them, take them to your doctor. Trust your instinct.
Temperature
- Feels too cold or hot (temperature below 35°C or above 38.5°C).
Skin colour and circulation
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Blue colour develops around the mouth.
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A rash develops with reddish-purple spots or bruises.
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Skin is much paler than usual or suddenly goes very white.
Breathing
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Struggles to breathe or stops breathing.
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Breathes more quickly than normal or grunts when breathing out.
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Wheezes when breathing out.
Vomiting and diarrhoea
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Has vomited up at least half of their feed (food or milk) after each of the last three feeds.
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Vomit is green.
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Has both vomiting and diarrhoea.
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Has drunk less fluid and has fewer wet nappies or visits to the toilet than usual.
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Has blood in their poo.
Emergency numbers:
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Police/Fire/Ambulance 111
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National Poisons Centre 0800 764 766
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Healthline 0800 611 116
HE4240