Children’s Health Matters

We know it’s worrying when your child is unwell. Our Children's Health Matters campaign aims to support parents and carers look after their children’s health and recognise when they are unwell.

A father checking daughters temperature with back of hand

What to do if your child is unwell

Treat at home, Call 111 or Visit A&E

What to do if your child has a cough, cold or virus

Coughs, colds, or viruses are common among young children and may result in your child experiencing breathing difficulties. Although it can take 2-3 weeks for children to get better, these illnesses can often be treated at home.

Treat at home

Treat children at home if they are:

  • baby bottle two thirds full
    Taking in more than half of normal feeds, and
  • wet nappy illustration
    Making wet nappies, or
  • thermometer indicating a temperature of 37 degrees celsius
    Their high temperature lasts less than 5 days.

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Call 111

If symptoms get worse, then it’s time to ask for help. Call 111 as your first point of contact, if your child is:

  • baby bottle one third full
    Taking in less than half of normal feeds, or
  • thermometer indicating a temperature of 38 degrees celsius and above
    Their temperature is higher than 38 ˚C and lasts more than 5 days.

Visit A&E

The Emergency Department is for life-threatening symptoms. Call 999 or go to Accident & Emergency when your child has:

  • Long pauses between breathing, or
  • Severe difficulties or is gasping for breath, or
  • Their tongue or lips go blue, or grey or white on brown or black skin.
diagram showing a person with difficulty breathing