The rash glass test
This is often used to determine if there is any evidence of meningitis or septicaemia (sepsis). A rash that does NOT fade under pressure (e.g. when the glass is pressed down onto the skin) can be suggestive of these conditions. Meningitis or sepsis can be life-threatening conditions, therefore immediate medical care and assessment is required. We cannot see patients immediately in our GP surgeries, hence we ask the patients to go to A&E departments.
Dehydration
Dehydration in children is harder to establish than in adults. By asking a few different questions, you can determine if there is any evidence of dehydration.
- Fewer wet nappies - e.g. producing less urine
- Drinking less than 50% of their normal amount
A barking cough
Often it is described that children will have a barking cough, often like a seal. If the caller/parent is unfamiliar with this, they can be directed to look up a video online of an example.
Coughing like this is often caused by a specific virus, which can cause croup in children. Children with croup should be seen by a medical professional, as we may need to give medications to shorten the illness.
Croup often affects children under the age of 1.
Not putting weight through a limb
Children can develop irritable hips or joints after a viral infection. It is important that children who are not moving their limbs appropriately are reviewed in a timely fashion.
Reassurance
Please familiarise yourself with the below advice for various coughs, colds and viral infections that children may suffer from.
It is extremely common for children to be unwell, as there are hundreds of different cold viruses around, especially during winter months.
nhs.uk Colds, coughs and ear infections in children
https://www.crossleystreetsurgery.co.uk/images/pdf/When-Should-I-Worry-Booklet.pdf