Doctors are urging parents to contact their GP Practice if their child is unwell amid concerns that parents are delaying seeking medical attention during the Coronavirus lockdown for fear of contracting the virus or not wanting to bother the NHS during this time.
While Coronavirus is unlikely to make children unwell, other illnesses, if symptoms are ignored may make them very unwell.
Dr Janet Walker, medical director, NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said ‘GP practices are open and if your child is unwell don’t delay, call your practice or NHS 111, please don’t ignore symptoms and hope they will go away. While it is vitally important to follow Government advice and stay at home it is also vital to seek medical help if your child is unwell.
‘Although we are asking you to NOT go into your local practice before first contacting them, many practices are providing consultations by telephone and video and if required, a face-to-face appointment will be agreed, Remember, GPs, hospitals and NHS111 all remain open and are still providing the same safe care that they have always done.’
Health officials are reminding parents that they should contact their GP surgery or NHS 111 if their child is finding it hard to breath, is dehydrated, has extreme shivering, persistent high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol, persistent vomiting, blood in their poo or any limb injury causing reduced movement, persistent pain or head injury causing persistent crying or drowsiness or are worried about their child.
Parents should take their child to A&E or call 999 if they become pale, mottled or feel abnormally cold to the touch, have difficulty breathing, are agitated or unresponsive, are going blue round the lips, having a fit or seizure, have a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘glass test’) or has testicular pain, especially in teenage boys.
In line with current guidance patients experiencing Coronavirus symptoms should seek help and advice using NHS111online services at www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or by calling NHS111.