Spotting illness in children is an important aspect of child healthcare. Find out the symptoms that are warning signs of illnesses in children and which will help you to keep check on the condition of your child.Spotting illness in children can be a difficult task at times. Children usually show symptoms of uneasiness quite often and according to doctors, this can be just quite normal. So, understanding which of the symptoms can be treated at home, and which of them require serious medical attention is quite baffling. The most vital point to note is to keep a careful watch and report to the doctor only what you are seeing and not exaggerating the situation in any way. Remember, it can prove to be fatal to your kid, if he receives an overdose of medication, as per your report. In this articleWhen to Call for Medical Help?High TemperatureThirstUrineVomitingNote the CryDrowsyFloppy and UnfocusedBreathing IssuesWhen to Call for Medical Help? Here are certain instances that you need to keep an eye on your child, if you happen to spot any of them, make sure that you call for medical help urgently.If the child has a sudden epilepsy seizure.If you are unable to wake up your child.If the face or the lips of the child turn blue and the breathing becomes intermittent or stops altogether, even if for a while.If the child is not responsive towards anything that is going on in his immediate surrounding, seems like he is totally unaware of the happenings.If he has a glazed look and stares at things or people, without actually focusing or turning his attention towards them.If there is a serious injury. Symptoms of Illness in Children Here are descriptions of a few symptoms that can help you assess the condition of your child: High TemperatureJust by feeling the body or skin of the baby will not help you understand whether the child is running fever or not. In fact, a high temperature is often a symptom of a serious illness. And if you miss it, you might as well miss out on a vital symptom. So the way out is to maintain temperature chart. You can do this by using an aural thermometer, or digital thermometers. One can also opt for the single-use disposable thermometers that are available at chemist stores and can give you an easy reading. Since they are not made from glass, one can safely use them on babies too. Point to note: Placing the thermometer under the armpits do not provide accurate readings, rather placing it just at the back passage will give you more accurate readings and will not cause any pain to your baby too. It is a cause of worry if you find the reading to be above 100.8 F. Thirst You need to note the amount of fluid intake of your child; it is less or above than normal, it is a sign of some illness. If it is above normal, it is a sign of possible dehydration and if it is below normal, the doctor would be the best judge. On your part, you can help the child increase his fluid intake so that at least the child will not be dehydrated. UrineThe amount of urine passed by your child must also be monitored. If it is less or more, report to the doctor. And if there is any change in concentration, or there is blood in the nappy, you must also report that too. Small traces of blood can mean that there is a split at the back passage, which is quite normal in kids, but you must tell the doctor nonetheless, so that appropriate tests can be done and medications administered; because presence of large amounts of blood, can entail serious intestinal damage. VomitingIt is considered natural that babies would vomit small amounts of milk. If this happens right after feeding the baby, there is nothing to be anxious, but if the vomiting is persistent and is happening in large amounts, it must be reported to the doctor. It is serious if the vomit has green traces, which usually indicates the presence of bile, it may also indicate bowel obstructions. Note the Cry It is natural for the baby to cry. But you can make out the difference in health with the type of cries, which may mean either hunger or tiredness. But then a high-pitched cry, a moan or a feeble cry can indicate a bodily discomfort too. DrowsyHealthy babies are normally active and alert. If you find your child appearing or showing drowsiness, even after adequate rest, it means something is troubling him. Floppy and UnfocusedThis is a bit tricky. If the baby feels firm when you hold him, that is fine, but if there is floppiness, then there is cause to worry. Breathing IssuesIf you notice that the child is making snuffle sounds while breathing or the breathing is like a gasp, it should be reported to the doctor. There can be a blockage in the nose passage or it might be a season change nasal-throat infection that is also quite common with babies and toddlers. But this does require medical intervention to prevent the condition from getting worse. Finally, it is mostly the parents’ good observation that can ascertain whether the child is healthy or not. There can be some simple symptoms that can act as warning signs of illnesses that can turn worse. So timely medical intervention can not only check the situation but also prevent it from going beyond control. Moreover, you need to be extra vigilant as the babies are not yet equipped to properly express their problems in words.
Spotting illness in children is an important aspect of child healthcare. Find out the symptoms that are warning signs of illnesses in children and which will help you to keep check on the condition of your child.Spotting
illness in children can be a difficult task at times. Children usually show symptoms of uneasiness quite often and according to doctors, this can be just quite normal. So, understanding which of the symptoms can be treated at home, and which of them require serious medical attention is quite baffling. The most vital point to note is to keep a careful watch and report to the doctor only what you are seeing and not exaggerating the situation in any way. Remember, it can prove to be fatal to your kid, if he receives an overdose of medication, as per your report.
When to Call for Medical Help?
Here are certain instances that you need to keep an eye on your child, if you happen to spot any of them, make sure that you call for medical help urgently.
- If the child has a sudden epilepsy seizure.
- If you are unable to wake up your child.
- If the face or the lips of the child turn blue and the breathing becomes intermittent or stops altogether, even if for a while.
- If the child is not responsive towards anything that is going on in his immediate surrounding, seems like he is totally unaware of the happenings.
- If he has a glazed look and stares at things or people, without actually focusing or turning his attention towards them.
- If there is a serious injury.
Symptoms of Illness in Children
Here are descriptions of a few symptoms that can help you assess the condition of your child:
High Temperature
Just by feeling the body or
skin of the baby will not help you understand whether the child is running fever or not. In fact, a high temperature is often a symptom of a serious illness. And if you miss it, you might as well miss out on a vital symptom. So the way out is to maintain temperature chart. You can do this by using an aural thermometer, or digital thermometers. One can also opt for the single-use disposable thermometers that are available at chemist stores and can give you an easy reading. Since they are not made from glass, one can safely use them on babies too.
Point to note: Placing the thermometer under the armpits do not provide accurate readings, rather placing it just at the back passage will give you more accurate readings and will not cause any pain to your baby too. It is a cause of worry if you find the reading to be above 100.8 F.
Thirst
You need to note the amount of fluid intake of your child; it is less or above than normal, it is a sign of some illness. If it is above normal, it is a sign of possible dehydration and if it is below normal, the doctor would be the best judge. On your part, you can help the child increase his fluid intake so that at least the child will not be dehydrated.
Urine
The amount of urine passed by your child must also be monitored. If it is less or more, report to the doctor. And if there is any change in concentration, or there is blood in the nappy, you must also report that too. Small traces of blood can mean that there is a split at the back passage, which is quite normal in kids, but you must tell the doctor nonetheless, so that appropriate tests can be done and medications administered; because presence of large amounts of blood, can entail serious intestinal damage.
Vomiting
It is considered natural that babies would
vomit small amounts of milk. If this happens right after feeding the baby, there is nothing to be anxious, but if the vomiting is persistent and is happening in large amounts, it must be reported to the doctor. It is serious if the vomit has green traces, which usually indicates the presence of bile, it may also indicate bowel obstructions.
Note the Cry
It is natural for the baby to cry. But you can make out the difference in health with the type of cries, which may mean either hunger or tiredness. But then a high-pitched cry, a moan or a feeble cry can indicate a bodily discomfort too.
Drowsy
Healthy babies are normally active and alert. If you find your child appearing or showing drowsiness, even after adequate rest, it means something is troubling him.
Floppy and Unfocused
This is a bit tricky. If the baby feels firm when you hold him, that is fine, but if there is floppiness, then there is cause to worry.
Breathing Issues
If you notice that the child is making snuffle sounds while breathing or the breathing is like a gasp, it should be reported to the doctor. There can be a blockage in the nose passage or it might be a season change nasal-throat infection that is also quite common with babies and toddlers. But this does require medical intervention to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Finally, it is mostly the parents’ good observation that can ascertain whether the child is healthy or not. There can be some simple symptoms that can act as warning signs of illnesses that can turn worse. So timely medical intervention can not only check the situation but also prevent it from going beyond control. Moreover, you need to be extra vigilant as the babies are not yet equipped to properly express their problems in words.
