When to call a health care provider?

A child who shows definite signs of behaviour changes may have a serious infection and should see a health care provider immediately.

Examples of behaviour changes include:

• unusual lack of interest
• loss of appetite
• irritability
• persistent crying
• excessive sleepiness

See a health care provider if your child:

• has lips that look blue or is coughing so badly that they are choking or vomiting
• has thick yellow or green discharge from the nose lasting more than 10 to 14 days
• has trouble breathing or is breathing rapidly
• if the muscles located between the ribs at the bottom of the rib cage are sucking inward
• has a cough that sounds like barking
• has swollen glands

Signs of dehydration include:

• no tears when crying
• dry skin, mouth and tongue
• less than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours.
• sunken eyes or fontanels (soft spot on the head of children younger than 18 months)
• grey skin
• rapid breathing

Vomiting is not usually dangerous, unless:

• the child chokes and inhales vomit
• the child is at risk of dehydration
• vomiting is combined with excessive sleepiness

It is important to realize that vomiting and spitting up after feeding is not the same thing.

See a health care provider if your child:

• has excessive diarrhea and it is putting them at risk for dehydration
• has bloody, mucousy or black stool

Any sudden change in colour of the skin needs to be addressed immediately by a health care provider.

Examples of skin changes are:

• a sudden loss of colour in the face
• yellowing of the skin (jaundice)

See a health care provider if your child develops a rash.

See a health care provider if:

• a baby less than 3 months of age has a fever
• toddlers and preschoolers should be seen if their fever is above 38.5°C and lasts longer than 48 hours.