Written by
Læge
Praktiserende læge, ph.d.
The general condition is important regardless of which symptoms a person has or what illness they may have. Together with the symptoms, the general condition indicates how ill one is. If fever is suspected, it is important to measure the temperature.
The temperature in itself does not say very much, but it is important when assessed together with the general condition.
Some symptoms are signs that the child is so affected by its illness that you must contact a doctor immediately.
Drowsy/apathetic: The child will for example only lie in bed and does not want to play.
Does not drink or pee: Most children do not want to eat but can be lured into drinking. If the child does not drink it will become dehydrated and urination will cease.
Irritable: The child reacts irritably towards light and sound.
Cadaverous and pale: The child’s face looks unhealthy.
Strained breathing: Can be a sign of pneumonia
Unable to put forehead against its knees or look at its navel: This can be caused by a stiff neck and back and might be a sign of meningitis.
Dot-shaped red spots in the skin: The spots do not disappear if you press a spectacle lens against the spots and look trough the glass. It can be a sign of meningitis.
With children, the evaluation of their general condition is of great importance. A child playing, watching TV or listening to the radio is only rarely seriously ill.
It is also a good sign, if the child can be distracted by reading aloud to it or playing with it. Generally speaking, a child’s general condition is fine when it can play and be distracted, as described above, even though the child may not be as fresh as when it is fully well.
When a child is falling ill, it often gets faint, whimpering, uneasy or cries. Small children can sometimes complain about stomach pains or vomit without it being an illness in the stomach. Larger children often complain about headaches and do not want to eat or play.
Fever is an indication that the child has an infection. The temperature does not tell you how ill the child is but is necessary and useful information.
Many children do not want to play when they are ill. That is okay as long as the child is hydrated. If the child has a fever, it is particularly important for it to hydrate. It is a good sign if the child urinates several times a day, because this means that the child is hydrated.
Further reading on Medication
