Responding to Illness that Requires Medical Care

Responding to Illness that Requires Medical Care “Some conditions, require immediate medical help. If the parents can be reached, tell them to come right away and to notify their medical provider. Call Emergency Medical services (9-1-1) immediately and also notify parents if any of the following things happen:

 You believe a child needs immediate medical assessment and treatment that cannot wait for parents to take the child for care.

 A child has a stiff neck (that limits his ability to put his chin to his chest) or severe headache and fever.

 A child has a seizure for the first time.

 A child who has a fever as well as difficulty breathing.

 A child looks or acts very ill, or seems to be getting worse quickly.

 [A child has s]kin or lips that look blue, purple or gray.

 A child is having difficulty breathing or breathes so fast or hard that he or she cannot play, talk, cry or drink.

 A child who is vomiting blood.

 A child complains of a headache or feeling nauseous, or is less alert or more confused, after a hard blow to the head.

 Multiple children have injuries or serious illness at the same time.

 A child has a large volume of blood in the stools.

 A child has a suddenly spreading blood-red or purple rash.

 A child acts unusually confused.

 [A child is u]nresponsive or [has] decreasing responsiveness.

 A fever in any child who appears more than mildly ill.

 An infant under 2 months of age has an axillary (“armpit”) temperature above 100.4º F.

 An infant under four months of age has two or more forceful vomiting episodes (not the simple return of swallowed milk or spit-up) after eating.

 A child has neck pain when the head is moved or touched.

 A child has a severe stomach ache that causes the child to double up and scream.

 A child has a stomach ache without vomiting or diarrhea after a recent injury, blow to the abdomen or hard fall.

 A child has stools that are black or have blood mixed through them.

 A child has not urinated in more than eight hours, and the mouth and tongue look dry.

 A child has continuous, clear drainage from the nose after a hard blow to the head.

 A child has a medical condition outlined in his special care plan as requiring medical attention.

 [A child has a]n injury that may require medical treatment such as a cut that does not hold together after it is cleaned.”32