Short answer
Take your child to hospital immediately if they have difficulty breathing, a fit, blue or grey lips, a rash that does not fade under a glass, are very sleepy or hard to wake, cannot drink or vomit everything, or have not passed urine for 12 hours. Trust your instinct: if you feel something is seriously wrong, come in.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Go to hospital immediately if your child
- Is breathing very fast, struggling to breathe, grunting, or sucking in the chest or tummy
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- Has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
- Is very sleepy, floppy, hard to wake, or not responding as usual
- Cannot drink or breastfeed, or vomits everything
- Has not passed urine for 12 hours
- Has swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty swallowing
- Has a stiff neck or is bothered by bright light
- Has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry
- May have swallowed medicine, a chemical, pesticide or anything poisonous; bring the container
- Has had a serious injury, burn or fall
Call +91 90368 52311, or come straight to the hospital. Our paediatric emergency team is on duty 24 hours a day.
Fever that needs urgent care
- A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or more
- A baby of 3 to 6 months with a temperature of 39°C or more
- A temperature below 36°C, or a child who feels cold and is shivering
- Fever lasting 5 days or more
See a doctor the same day if your child
- Has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies, sunken eyes or no tears
- Has vomited for more than 24 hours, or had diarrhoea for more than a week
- Is not eating or not their usual self, and you are worried
- Has very smelly urine or is passing urine often, with fever
What to bring
- The vaccination card and any earlier reports or discharge papers
- The medicines your child takes
- A note of when the symptoms started and what you have given
At Dhruva Hospitals
Dhruva Hospitals has a 24-hour neonatal and paediatric emergency team, a paediatric ward with round-the-clock nursing, paediatric ICU and ventilator support, and a Level III NICU for newborns. Paediatric care is led by Dr. Sudarshan Reddy K (MBBS, DNB Paediatrics).
Common questions
Should I call before coming?
In an emergency, come straight in. If you can, have someone call +91 90368 52311 on the way so the team is ready.
What if I am not sure it is an emergency?
Trust your instinct. Children can get worse quickly, and it is always better to have your child checked than to wait.
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Sources
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.