Kids get sick often and as parents it’s easy to accept the occasional fit of vomiting or high fever. However, there are some symptoms parents should never ignore. These seven symptoms may be indicative of much bigger issues:
Headaches
Most headaches are benign and completely safe but, especially under the age of four, numerous headaches or particularly painful headaches can be a sign of something much more serious. Meningitis and brain tumors often manifest themselves as blinding headaches. Coupled with vomiting, your child may be experiencing migraines and should be supervised by a medical professional.
Extreme Fatigue
Babies, toddlers, and even growing teens sleep a lot but if you notice your child sleeping excessively coupled with being unresponsive or slow to rouse when you wake them, head to your local pediatrician. Though it may only be a virus like Cytomegalovirus (CMV) or mononucleosis (the kissing disease), extreme fatigue can also indicate a much more severe infection or illness.
Trouble Breathing
It is normal for children to be a little out of breath after playing hard but it isn’t normal when their breathing becomes restrictive or inconsistent. Many children are diagnosed with asthma in childhood and if their condition is caught early and treated thoroughly, they can live normally. For other children, severe allergic reactions can cause trouble breathing. These reactions will only increase over time, possibly leading to death or hypoxia. Parents should bring any child having difficulty breathing directly to their nearest ER.
Weight Loss
While children may shoot up like trees, they shouldn’t be losing much weight. Sudden weight loss is associated with childhood cancers and autoimmune disorders. When a child has sudden weight loss, parents should consult a pediatrician to ensure that the child isn’t battling any illness.
Excess Thirst
Unless it’s a sweltering day, if your child is running to the faucet every ten minutes it’s time to take them to the doctor. Type I diabetes affects more than 15,000 children every year and extreme thirst is often an early indication of the condition.
Bruises and Prolonged Bleeding
Kids often have unexplained bruises and cuts and scrapes but when your child’s bleeding doesn’t stop within 30 minutes or they have a substantial amount of unexplained bruising, they need to see a doctor to rule out hemophilia or other platelet clumping disorders. Idiopathic, or unexplained, platelet clumping disorders often resolve themselves but it is important to have a doctor overseeing the condition to prevent excessive blood loss.
Stiff Neck and Fever
A stiff neck after a fitful night sleep is common in kids. When that pain is coupled with a fever, parents need to see a health care professional. While meningitis is an uncommon ailment, it is also incredibly deadly. Those affected with it often state that early symptoms were stiff neck and fever. Don’t take chances and take your child to the doctor.
Most childhood ailments are little more than passing and completely normal illness but other symptoms should be carefully monitored by parents and medical professionals. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to find adequate medical care.
With over 20 years of experience in the nanny world as an award-winning nanny, agency director, and parenting author, Michelle LaRowe is considered a leading industry expert. A mom herself, she loves to educate parents and nannies on the importance of quality in-home childcare. Find out more by visiting @eNannySource on Twitter.