Symptoms of serious illness in children
Immediate medical care may be needed when fever, vomiting, or a seizure occurs along with signs of a serious illness.
Symptoms of serious illness include:
- Severe neck stiffness or pain and fussiness.
- Extreme sleepiness, difficulty waking up, or a lack of alertness.
- A bulging soft spot (fontanel) on a baby's head.
- Rapid, difficult breathing.
- Drooling and not wanting to swallow.
- Severe pain.
- Signs of severe dehydration.
- Blue or purple skin or mucous membranes (cyanosis).
- New skin rash or spontaneous bruising.
- New swelling, pain, redness, or warmth in one or more joints.
- Fever of 105F or higher 30 to 60 minutes after giving medication for fever.
- Any signs of a urinary tract infection, such as pain or burning with urination or urinating frequently and in small amounts.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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