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It can be difficult to tell when a baby or toddler is seriously ill, but the main thing is to trust your instincts.

You know better than anyone else what your child is usually like, so you'll know when something is seriously wrong.

DPCHR (digital personal child health record),0-3 months,3-6 months,6-12 months,1 year,2 years,3 years,4 years,Childhood illnesses

Here's a checklist of warning signs that might indicate your baby or toddler is seriously ill and requires medical help.

a high temperature, but cold feet and hands
a high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give paracetamol to a baby under 2 months and do not give ibuprofen to a baby under 3 months or under 5kg, unless prescribed by a doctor)
a very high or low temperature
your child feels hot or cold to touch, or is shivering
your child is quiet and listless, even when their temperature is not high
a high temperature in a baby less than 2 months old

rapid breathing or panting
a throaty noise while breathing
your child is finding it hard to get their breath and is sucking their stomach in under their ribs

blue, pale, blotchy, or ashen (grey) skin – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
your child is hard to wake up, or appears disoriented or confused
your child is crying constantly and you cannot console or distract them, or the cry does not sound like their normal cry
green vomit
your child is not feeding normally and you're worried
nappies that are drier than usual – this is a sign of dehydration

DPCHR (digital personal child health record),0-3 months,3-6 months,6-12 months,1 year,2 years,3 years,4 years,Childhood illnesses

If your child has any of signs of serious illness, get medical help as soon as possible:

during the day from Monday to Friday – it's best to call your GP surgery
evenings and weekends – call NHS 111
if your baby is under 6 months old it's hard for a doctor or nurse to assess them over the phone – you can go to an urgent treatment centre or, if you're very worried, take them to A&E

Call 999 for an ambulance if your child:

stops breathing
will not wake up
has a spotty, purple or red rash anywhere on their body that does not fade when you press a glass against it, as this could be a sign of sepsis – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
is under 8 weeks old and you're very worried about them
has a febrile seizure (fit) for the first time, even if they seem to recover
has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
may have been seriously injured by you or someone else

Trust your instincts. You know what's different or worrying behaviour in your child.

DPCHR (digital personal child health record),0-3 months,3-6 months,6-12 months,1 year,2 years,3 years,4 years,Childhood illnesses

Learn the signs of serious illnesses that can affect children, including:

Page last reviewed: 24 August 2023
Next review due: 24 August 2026

Is your baby or toddler seriously ill?