Cold and flu - Children - Safety netting advice

When to seek further review

Arrange a GP review if cold symptoms are not improving after about 2 weeks, or a cough lasts longer than 3 weeks.
Seek urgent advice today for poor feeding, fewer wet nappies or less pee, new wheezing, worsening breathing or fever lasting 5 days or more.
Get urgent advice now for a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or more, or aged 3 to 6 months with a temperature of 39°C or more.
Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
Contact your GP when the surgery is open. If it is closed, you cannot get the help you need, or you are unsure what to do, call NHS 111. You can call even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are serious.

When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)

Severe chest pain or severe breathing difficulty.
Coughing up more than a few streaks of blood.
A severe headache with a stiff neck, discomfort in bright light, or a rash that does not fade when pressed with a clear glass. Do not wait for a rash to appear.
Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.

How to spot sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.

An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.

Adult sepsis signs: slurred speech or confusion; extreme shivering or muscle pain; no urine in a day; severe breathlessness; feeling extremely unwell; mottled or discoloured skin. — Adults

Child sepsis signs: very fast breathing; a fit or convulsion; mottled, bluish or pale skin; a rash that does not fade under pressure; very difficult to wake; abnormally cold. Under-5 warning signs also include not feeding, repeated vomiting or no urine for 12 hours. — Children

Sources

NHS - Cold and fluhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/
NHS - Fluhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/
NHS - Colds, coughs and ear infections in childrenhttps://www.nhs.uk/baby/health/colds-coughs-and-ear-infections-in-children/
NHS - Fever in childrenhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/
NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/

When to seek further review

When to get emergency help(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)

How to spot sepsis

Sources

When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)