When should I get urgent help for a child?

Call 999 if a child is blue, unresponsive, struggling to breathe, has a seizure that does not stop, or a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it. Use NHS 111 if you are worried and it is not clearly an emergency — including fever in a baby under 3 months.

Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen to a child?

Many childhood illnesses are treated with rest, fluids and simple pain relief from a pharmacy. Follow the pack for that child's age and weight, or ask a pharmacist. Do not use adult doses. This site does not give milligram doses.

Does a rash with a fever always mean meningitis?

No. Many viral illnesses cause a rash. A rash that does not fade under a glass, with severe drowsiness, stiff neck, dislike of light or a child who seems seriously unwell, needs emergency care. If you are unsure, use 111 or 999 rather than waiting.

Should I send a child to school or nursery?

Keep them off if they have a high temperature, are too unwell to take part, or the illness has a specific exclusion period (for example some rashes). NHS and UKHSA pages list exclusion advice. When in doubt, ask the school and a pharmacist or GP.

Children's health

Children's health information

Clear, NHS-aligned guides for parents and carers in the UK — common infections, fever and rashes, and the signs that need 111 or 999 rather than a wait-and-see night.

If a child is seriously unwell, do not use this hub as a delay. Match the urgency or call 999.

Symptoms to take seriously

Common childhood conditions

Medicines and home care

NHS services

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

111 and pharmacy schemes are run by each UK nation. Use the service where you are, not an England pathway copied from a search result.

Urgent advice (111)

England: Call 111 or use 111.nhs.uk for urgent advice that is not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 online
Scotland: NHS 24 runs 111. Use it when you need urgent care and your GP, pharmacy or dentist is closed, or you think you need A&E but it is not life-threatening. NHS 24 — when to phone 111
Wales: NHS 111 Wales provides urgent advice by phone and online. NHS 111 Wales
Northern Ireland: There is no general 111 service. Use your GP surgery’s out-of-hours number, listed on nidirect. nidirect — GP out of hours

Common questions

When should I get urgent help for a child?: Call 999 if a child is blue, unresponsive, struggling to breathe, has a seizure that does not stop, or a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it. Use NHS 111 if you are worried and it is not clearly an emergency — including fever in a baby under 3 months.
Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen to a child?: Many childhood illnesses are treated with rest, fluids and simple pain relief from a pharmacy. Follow the pack for that child's age and weight, or ask a pharmacist. Do not use adult doses. This site does not give milligram doses.
Does a rash with a fever always mean meningitis?: No. Many viral illnesses cause a rash. A rash that does not fade under a glass, with severe drowsiness, stiff neck, dislike of light or a child who seems seriously unwell, needs emergency care. If you are unsure, use 111 or 999 rather than waiting.
Should I send a child to school or nursery?: Keep them off if they have a high temperature, are too unwell to take part, or the illness has a specific exclusion period (for example some rashes). NHS and UKHSA pages list exclusion advice. When in doubt, ask the school and a pharmacist or GP.