Major symptoms to watch out for in your child

Many dads live in a state of anxiety that their child will be struck down by some terrible illness. We guide you through some major symptoms and suggest a few ways to easily tell the difference between a mild rash and a killer case of meningitis. Plus a few others besides...

Most British children go through childhood without suffering from anything more serious than chicken pox and flu.

But we all hear horror stories about killer diseases, so it is worth being able to spot any problems early on.

• Common baby illnesses

Rashes

In a worst-case scenario, this could be meningitis (inflammation of the membranes lining the brain and spinal cord). Viral meningitis is usually mild.

The most severe form of bacterial meningitis is the relatively rare Group C, which can be fatal if not treated early with antibiotic injections. It can also cause deafness.

It could also be: hives, eczema, chicken pox, roseola, heat rash, contact rash.

The symptoms of meningitis are little red spots developing into large purple marks, vomiting, over-sensitivity to light, a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot on the baby’s head), stiff neck, high-pitched crying, drowsiness, fever, cold limbs, shaking, jerky movement and bruises under the skin.

How do you test for a meningitis rash?

Firmly press the side of a clear glass tumbler against the rash. If it does not turn white or fade, your baby may be at risk.

What are the odds?

An average of one in 25,000 people in the UK contract bacterial meningitis each year. Viral meningitis is more common (precise figures unknown).

Your baby will be vaccinated three times in the first four months – each time against meningitis C and against HIB (another form of bacterial meningitis).

If the symptoms fit meningitis, call your GP or 999

Watery poo

It's possible that this is viral or bacterial diarrhoea. This can be caused by a viral infection, urinary infection, upper respiratory tract infection or a more serious illness.

However, it could also be a reaction to formula milk.

Symptoms of viral/bacterial diarrhoea are frequent, foul-smelling, watery stools (sometimes greenish in colour), vomiting, fever, blood in the stools (bacterial cause), floppiness and abdominal pain.

Diarrhoea caused by an infection usually gets better within a week. But if your baby is passing more than seven watery stools per day, contact your doctor.

• How to raise a fit kid

Vomiting

This could be viral or bacterial infection or a blockage in the intestine.

It could also be a normal reflux of milk from the stomach. Many babies bring up small amounts after feeding. Other possible causes include a milk allergy, abnormalities of the intestine or a narrowed digestive track.

Other symptoms of viral/bacterial infection are fever, diarrhoea, blood in vomit, projectile vomiting.

Call your doctor if your baby has these symptoms.

• First aid skills for babies: what should I know?

Fever

This could be a serious bacterial or viral infection.

However, it could also be a cold.

The symptoms of a serious infection are a high temperature (anything over 38C if your baby is under three months), lethargy and no interest in feeding.

If her temperature rises above 38C, call your doctor.

• Your child's health

Author

Gavin Evans is a father of two daughters - aged 17 and 13 - and lives in North London. 15 years ago he changed gear from being a full-time reporter to full-time parent and part-time journalist. His writing on issues affecting fathers has been published in a wide range of publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, The Times and The New Statesman. He has written five books on sport, a chapter on men in Your Pregnancy Bible and is completing his first screenplay. Gavin also regularly posts blogs at www.gavinevans.net.

Your experience

Has your child had experience with any of the symptoms above? Please leave any comments in our comments system.