The 10 Health Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

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• Medicine Cabinet Must-haves

A paediatrician identifies symptoms that can be warning signals for more serious health problems

By Leigh Doyle

Fevers, bumped heads and vomiting are all part of being a kid. But from your perspective these symptoms can be warning signals for more serious health problems. So how do you know which ones call for immediate attention? “It boils down to you knowing your child and being aware of the signs and symptoms that indicate a serious problem,” says Dr. Hirotaka Yamashiro, a paediatrician in Richmond Hill. Here’s his list of the 10 symptoms you should never ignore.  

Head Injuries

“Kids fall and hit their heads a lot,” says Dr. Yamashiro. “When it happens, watch for tiredness, irritability or quietness in the first 12 to 24 hours.” There is a risk of concussion or internal swelling. If you notice any of these signs or your child loses consciousness take them to a doctor right away.   

Severe headaches

“We know kids as young as four can suffer from migraines,” says Dr. Yamashiro, so it’s important to get a child checked out if the pain is that intense. To check, he says to ask older children about the pain (how bad it is on a scale of 1 to 10?). Younger ones will act out or be unusually lethargic so watch their behaviour. If you given them children’s pain medication and the behaviour doesn’t change it’s time to see a doctor.

High fever

“There are three things to watch for with a fever,” says Dr. Yamashiro. First, your child’s fever doesn’t come down after she takes a lukewarm bath or you give her acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Second, your child looks feverish or is cranky, sluggish or tired. Third, her behaviour and energy levels remain poor even after there’s a drop in the fever or medication has been taken. If any of these things happen, get medical attention.

Excessive lethargy

If your child has very low energy or it’s difficult to wake him up there might be a problem. Lethargy can indicate a range of conditions including infections and meningitis. “If it pops up suddenly that’s also a sign of trauma,” says Dr. Yamashiro. Take your child in if it’s combined with other symptoms like fever or body aches and pains.

Shortness of Breath

This can be a sign of respiratory infection or asthma. For older children, it’s time for a doctor’s visit if it is difficult for them to talk or they make wheezing, gurgling or stridor-like noises. For kids who are not talking, Dr. Yamashiro says breathing fast (are the ribs are moving quickly?) and hard are signs they need attention.  

Vomiting

See a doctor immediately if your child is vomiting so much she can’t stay hydrated (she’s peeing less, has dry lips or dry mouth), has abdominal pain, a severe headache or is losing consciousness, says Dr. Yamashiro. “And avoid gravol. It makes kids sleepy which can mask other symptoms.” 

Diarrhea

Like vomiting, the concern here is dehydration. Kids should have an electrolyte drink (Gatorade or powerade works well) to replace salt and fluids. If that’s not working, go to a doctor. “Also get immediate attention if there is blood in the stool because that’s a sign of infection,” says Dr. Yamashiro.

Rashes

Rashes are so common with kids – from sensitive skin to chicken pox – so it’s tough to know when it’s serious. In general, check in with a doctor if a rash is accompanied by a fever or it doesn’t fade when you press on it or if home remedies don’t relieve an itchy rash.

Chest pain

“Typically chest pain is related to muscle discomfort in kids,” says Dr. Yamashiro. But chest pain plus heart palpitations (ask if it feels like there are butterflies in your child’s chest) or difficulty breathing requires a doctor’s attention.

Limping

Stubbed toes and knocked knees are unavoidable. But a limp becomes a concern when your child can’t put a lot of weight on the leg or if there is bruising or swelling in the affected area. “It’s worth taking them to a doctor if they’re in a lot of pain,” says Dr. Yamashiro.