Review pending. This page summarises HSE guidance and has not yet been reviewed by a doctor. It is not medical advice. If someone’s life is at risk, call 112 or 999.
Call 112 or 999, or go to the nearest emergency department, if your child:
- stops breathing
- is breathing fast or panting
- suddenly makes loud noises breathing in or out
- is finding it hard to breathe and is sucking their stomach in under their ribs
- has a high temperature with a severe headache or a stiff neck
- has a fever that won't go away, or feels unusually cold or floppy
- is difficult to wake or can't stay awake
- has a febrile seizure (fit) lasting longer than 5 minutes, or more than 1 seizure in 5 minutes
- has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- has pale, blotchy, blue or grey skin, or is going blue around the lips
- is agitated or confused, or does not seem to know you
- is extremely distressed, or their cry does not sound like their normal cry
- has limb pain
- has a spotty, purple or red rash anywhere that does not fade with the glass test
Go to an emergency department that admits children. In Dublin some see only children and some only adults; outside Dublin, children can go to any (HSE).
Source: HSE: when to get urgent help if your baby or child is seriously unwell, checked 29 October 2026. HSE page last reviewed 14 July 2023.
Phone a GP urgently, or the out-of-hours service if the surgery is closed, if your child:
- is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or you think they have a fever
- has a high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen
- has a temperature below 36°C
- is not drinking fluids, or has far fewer wet nappies than usual (less than 4 in 24 hours)
- is vomiting most feeds, has green vomit, or keeps vomiting with severe tummy pain
- has had a febrile seizure for the first time, even if they seem to recover
- is quiet and listless, or drowsy or irritable and you cannot settle them
- has sunken eyes, a dry mouth or no tears when crying
These are some of the signs the HSE lists. Read the full HSE list.
Source: HSE: when to get urgent help if your baby or child is seriously unwell, checked 29 October 2026. HSE page last reviewed 14 July 2023.
The GP visit card for under-8s
- Who
- All children under 8 living in Ireland can get one.
- Covers
- Free GP visits, checks at age 2 and 5, out-of-hours urgent GP care, and care for children with asthma.
- Not covered
- Medication costs and hospital charges.
- Register
- Online through the HSE, with your PPS number, your child’s PPS number and your GP’s name, or by form. If your child has a medical card, you do not need to register.
Source: HSE: GP visit card for children under 8, checked 29 October 2026.
Injuries in young children
Most injury units treat patients over 5 and may not treat any child younger than 5. Injury units do not treat a child with a medical illness.
Source: HSE: when to visit an injury unit, checked 29 October 2026. HSE page last reviewed 29 November 2023.