Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Follow the emergency plan from their clinical team.
Call emergency services if the child:
Has severe difficulty breathing
Collapses, faints, or cannot be woken normally
Develops sudden weakness, facial drooping, or trouble speaking
Has a seizure
Has severe chest pain or becomes blue, grey, or very pale
Develops rapidly worsening confusion or extreme drowsiness
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Arrange urgent same-day medical assessment if a child at increased risk develops an unexplained fever, especially if it persists, repeatedly returns, or occurs with marked tiredness, poor feeding, weight loss, or chills.
A child with a central line needs prompt assessment for fever or shaking chills even if the line site looks normal.
Seek urgent advice if a child being treated for endocarditis develops returning fever, worsening breathlessness, new swelling, reduced urine, persistent vomiting, or increasing weakness.
It should not replace urgent care for new or rapidly worsening symptoms.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine follow-up checks recovery, heart function, treatment effects, and prevention.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Endocarditis - children. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.