TEMPERATURE,
DIARRHOEA, VOMITING
How do I know if my child is ill?
My child feels hot.
My child has diarrhoea.
My child has been sick.How can I help the Doctor before he see's
my child ?
TEMPERATURE
Normal Temperature is 36 - 37°C High Temperature is 38¡°C
or above.
Signs that your child may have a temperature
1. Red face.
2. Not their usual self- may be crabby/restless.
3. Feel hot to touch.
4. May be sleepier than usual Action that you can take to help:
•Give Paracetamol regularly, check instructions.
(No more than 4 times in 24 hours ).
• Make sure they are not over dressed.
Vest & pants or vest & nappy are sufficient. Tepid sponging
may help.
• Give them extra of their favourite cool drinks
"If you have done this and after 24 hours your child is no
better or if they develop other problems then contact the Doctor."
DIARRHOEA
Signs that your child has diarrhoea:
1. Frequent runny poo's.
2. They may have tummy ache. If your child is otherwise well then
it is likely that the diarrhoea will settle within 24 hours.
Action that you can take to help:
If your baby is Breast fed: Continue to feed them when they are
due their feed. You can give them extra drinks or rehydration
fluids (eg. Dioralyte) between feeds. For more advice ask your
Health Visitor.
If your baby is Bottle fed:
Offer as much fluid as your baby needs for the first 4 hours.
If they still have diarrhoea then give them some rehydration fluid
(Dioralyte) between their bottle feed for the next 8 hours. Now
introduce normal feeds.
For Older Children:
Avoid solid food or cows milk for 24 hours Give them plenty of
drinks Rehydration fluid will help - use as instructions If you
have done all these things and they become worse or if new symptoms
develop then seek medical advice. For more advice ask your Health
Visitor or GP.
VOMITING
Babies under 6 months who are vomiting -
seek advice from your GP, NHS Direct or Accident & Emergency
Dept.
Babies over 6 months who are vomiting with no other symptoms
-
If your baby is Breast fed:Continue to breast
feed them as normal.
If your baby is Bottle fed: Introduce rehydration
fluids in small frequent amounts - reintroduce milk gradually.
Avoid solids for 12 hours.
Older children - Vomiting with no other symptoms:
• Avoid food for 12 hours.
• Start with sips of water or rehydration fluid.
•If they are able to keep this down then build up their
fluids gradually.
•After 8 hours try food again, give them what they feel
like - avoid fatty or spicy foods.
If vomiting continues for more than 24 hours or they develop
any more symptoms then seek medical advice
WHAT TO KEEP IN THE MEDICINE CABINET
Paracetamol or Calpol. Dioralyte (Rehydration fluid). Thermometer.
HOW TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
1. Ring NHS Direct 0845 46 47
2. Contact your GP 08451 222 686
3. Go to NHS walk-in centre at RHH. (Open 8am - 10pm every day.)
4. IN EMERGENCY DIAL 999 |
