| You know your child inside and out, which is why her | | | | - Fevers (call a doctor if you are facing a persistent |
| strange behavior is worrying you. Perhaps it's nothing | | | | fever of over 102 F) |
| at all, but doubt and fear gnaw at you nevertheless. | | | | - Drooling |
| This is a common occurrence for parents, whose | | | | - A lump on the fontanelle (forehead) |
| toddlers are not able to process and communicate | | | | - Rapid breathing (possible hyperventilating) |
| their malaise. As usual, my preface is that only a | | | | - General uncharacteristic irritability |
| qualified physician will be able to fully assuage you | | | | - Spreading of rashes (more so if accompanied by |
| fears, so this reference is meant solely as a broad | | | | fever) |
| guideline about what to look out for. | | | | - Ear problems (look for ear discharge -- generally |
| Please remember that only a doctor will be able to | | | | your child may even be unresponsive to sounds) |
| rule out or diagnose anything! | | | | These guidelines are quite general, and in many cases |
| - Sudden and uncharacteristic lack of appetite | | | | the appearance of one of more symptoms listed |
| - Limpness and unresponsiveness | | | | may mean very little and may be considered normal. |
| - A different tenure of crying (this may seem a bit | | | | More serious scenarios and symptoms may require |
| obvious: examples include moaning, mewling or | | | | emergency care. Contact a doctor immediately if you |
| wailing) | | | | run into the following symptoms: |
| - Your baby looks unusually pale | | | | - Continuous bleeding and large cuts |
| - Pitting or discolored skin (look for other signs and | | | | - Problems related to breathing |
| causes of dehydration: fever,vomiting or diarrhea) | | | | - Large burns (is your child suffering from shock? |