Is pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
Is extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction),
Is confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
Has a fit / seizure
Has double vision or blurred vision
Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following features:
Has laboured/rapid breathing or they are working hard to breathe – drawing in of the muscles below their lower ribs, at their neck or between their ribs (recession).
A harsh breath noise as they breathe in (stridor) present only when they are upset.
Seems dehydrated (sunken eyes, drowsy or passed no urine for 12 hours)
Is drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) – especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
Has pus coming out of their ear
Is 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or above for more than 5 days
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS Wales 111 - dial 111
If none of the above features are present, most children with measles can be safely managed at home.
However, if your child has measles, you still need to inform your GP practice as there may be other people that your child has come into contact with that may be at increased risk of severe infection.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS Wales111 – dial 111
What should you do ?
Keep watching your child for signs of red and amber features (as mentioned above). If they develop, it might mean they have a more serious illness that needs specific tests and treatment. Ask for help in such cases.
To help your child feel better you can use paracetamol (calpol) and/or ibuprofen to lower their temperature. Try one medicine first, and if your child doesn't get better within 2-3 hours, you can try the other one. Remember, though, that fever is the body's normal response to fight infections, and the medicines won't make it go away completely.
Don't use tepid sponging on your child because it doesn't actually reduce their temperature and might make them shiver. Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids. If there are any crusts your child's eyes, gently remove them using cotton wool soaked in warm water.
If you think your child has measles, let your GP practice know. Your child can spread the infection to others from the time their symptoms start until about four days after the rash appears. If you are pregnant and haven't received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, or if there are any children in your family who are under 12 months old or haven't had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, please inform your GP practice urgently, as they might need immediate treatmentt to protect them from getting measles. And if your child with measles has been in contact with someone who has a very weak immune system (from the onset of their symptoms until four days after their rash begins), let that person know about your child's measles and ask them to contact their GP practice or NHS Wales 111 urgently. Finally, make sure that you/your partner are up to date with your MMR vaccines before getting pregnant as measles can be extremely severe during pregancy and can harm your unborn baby.
Where should you seek help?
Unless your child has red features (see above), try to stay away from public places including pharmacists, GP practices and A&E departments as your child may spread their infection to others.
If your child has any of the above amber features (see above), urgently contact your GP or call NHS Wales 111. Make sure you let them know if your child has not been vaccinated against measles (MMR vaccine).
You should only call 999 or go your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations. Let a member of staff know as soon as you arrive if your child has not been vaccinated against measles (MMR vaccine).
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.
Self-care
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Sound advice
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
encouraging healthier lifestyles
offering immunisations
giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS Wales 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
Many visits to A&E and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services.
If your child's condition is not critical, choose another service to get them the best possible treatment.
Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about going to A&E or riding in an ambulance
