How can I tell if my child is sick?

It can be hard to know if your child is sick. One of the most common signs of illness in children is a fever. If your child is sick, you may also see these signs:

• sore throat or headache
• blocked or runny nose
• sneezing or coughing
• a rash on their skin
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• glazed eyes
• drowsiness, tiredness or a low appetite

Other signs that your child might be sick can be a change in the way they are breathing. Signs of illness can be shallow breathing or pausing between breaths.

A sick child might also have pale or blotchy skin.

Your sick child may seem to have no energy. Sometimes they are not interested in doing things they usually enjoy. They might not want to run around. They might want to rest or do quiet activities.

What are some of the most common childhood illnesses?

Common childhood illnesses include:

• asthma
• the common cold
• ear infections
• eczema
• gastroenteritis (gastro)
• hand, foot and mouth disease

These illnesses are very common. Germs spread quickly among young children. This can be because they play closely together.

It's easy for germs to go from one person to another when children touch the same surfaces. This can happen at home, in childcare or at the playground. Germs can stay on surfaces, toys and play equipment.

Good hygiene is very important. Small children are not good at covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze. This can spread germs.

When children get older, they can learn to cover their mouth when they sneeze. You can also teach your child not to share food or utensils. It's also important to teach them how to wash their hands well.

Allergies

Allergies are commonly mistaken for a cold. This is because they may have the same symptoms.

Many children have allergies to particular foods (such as dairy, tree-nuts or peanuts). Some children have allergy symptoms because of triggers in the environment (such as dust mites).

If you think your child has had a mild allergic reaction, their doctor can arrange an allergy test.

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is a medical emergency. Signs of anaphylaxis can be a change in breathing, pale skin or a swollen tongue.

Should I keep my child home from school or daycare?

It can be hard to know whether to keep your child at home when they are not feeling well. There are some signs to look out for. Keep your child home if they have:

• fever (a temperature above 38ºC)
• diarrhoea or vomiting
• sore eyes with pus or mucus

You should also consider keeping your child at home if they have:

• sore throat
• cough
• runny nose
• rash — this may be due to a viral infection

Especially if these occur with other concerning symptoms, such as:

• lethargy
• poor feeding
• reduced urine (wee) output
• irritability

You should watch them for a few hours before deciding if they should stay home for the day.

It's very important to keep children home when they are sick. This helps to lower the chance of spreading disease to other children. It also protects staff members and their families too.

When should I take my child to the doctor?

If your child's symptoms do not improve after 2 full days, it's best to take them to a doctor. Seeing the doctor early on in an illness can often prevent it from getting worse.

Other signs that it may be time to see the doctor include when:

• paracetamol and ibuprofen aren't helping
• the child has on-going bouts of vomiting or diarrhoea
• they have a high fever for 2 full days
• they won't drink any fluids for more than 6 hours
• they have a rash
• they do not urinate (wee) as much as normal (or have less than half the usual number of wet nappies)

If you are concerned about their health at any time, it's always best to see a doctor.

When to seek urgent care

Seek medical care immediately from your doctor or nearest hospital if your child:

• is very pale or is difficult to wake up
• is having trouble breathing
• has a fever with back or neck pain
• has a rash with red or purple ‘pin prick' spots or blotches that don't turn white when you press on them — this may be a meningitis rash

Young babies are especially at risk from meningitis.

If your child is less than 1 month old and has a fever, you should go straight away to an hospital.

If your child is less than 3 months old, you should see a doctor if they aren't feeding well or have a fever.

How can I help my child recover?

The best way to help your child recover is to allow them to rest at home. This will help their body fight the illness.

Give your child lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. If they don't want to drink water, ice blocks or soup are other things you can give them.

If your child has a fever and is uncomfortable or in pain, paracetamol or ibuprofen may help. Always follow the dosing information on each pack carefully before use. Do not give your child aspirin.

Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medicines can cause asthma symptoms in some children who already have asthma. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you decide if your child should not take ibuprofen.

Learn more about giving paracetamol and ibuprofen to babies and children.

It's quite normal for your child to need extra attention while they feel sick. Young babies may want more cuddles than usual.

How can I stop my child from getting sick?

Childhood vaccines are very effective. They will help stop your child from catching many common childhood illnesses, such as chickenpox.

As well as vaccination, you can help protect your child from infectious illnesses by teaching them good hygiene practices. These include:

• washing hands well with soap, or using hand sanitiser, especially before eating
• not sharing food, cutlery, drink bottles, sheets or clothes in childcare
• teaching children to sneeze and cough into their elbows
• throwing tissues into the bin straight after use

It's also important to ensure your child gets enough sleep. They should also eat a balanced diet. This is important to keep their immune system healthy and strong.

If you are worried about how often your child gets sick, speak to your doctor.

How do I know if my child's vaccinations are up to date?

Your child's vaccination records can be found on the myGov website. This is where you can check their medical information.

If your child has missed a vaccination, speak to your doctor. They can arrange a catch-up dose. Most vaccinations are free of charge.

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule sets out when and how many doses of a vaccine your child needs. This is, based on their age and other details.

Other questions you might have

Should I let my child sleep when they're not feeling well?

The best way for you to help your child recover is to let them to rest. This lets their immune system have time to fight the illness.

Don't be worried if your child is sleeping more than usual or eating less for a few days. If this continues for more than a few days, take them to a doctor.

Should I wake a sick child to give them medicine?

A lot of minor illnesses do not need medicine.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are given when your child is uncomfortable due to fever or pain. If your child is sleeping, there is no need to wake them to give them these medicines.

Check the label to make sure that you know the right dose for your child's age.

Resources and Support

You can find information in languages other than English, on looking after a child with a viral illness.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.