Battling a bug? Possible red flags to watch out for 

We’re battling bugs and dodging viruses as we weave our way through the festivities, and some are attempting to carry on regardless in order to get everything done on time – work deadlines to meet, school concerts to attend, presents to wrap...

It goes without saying at this stage that covid is still with us, and anyone with symptoms should be ensuring that they don’t pass it on, to protect the most vulnerable.

It’s crucial to recognise when symptoms of any illness are becoming serious, and know when to seek medical help.

This is particularly true for our younger and older family members, who may deteriorate more quickly and become very ill quite suddenly.

Below are some of the red flags or warning signs that really should be acted upon if you or somebody in your care is unwell – either as one symptom in isolation or as one of a number of symptoms.

The list isn’t exhaustive, but includes the most common things to watch for.

Getting the appropriate attention as soon as possible is key to figuring out if it’s something that needs urgent treatment, because with symptoms like these, time is of the essence.

Possible red flags

Temperature – temperature is a sign that the body is fighting infection, and on its own isn’t a red flag. However, there are different levels of ‘high temperature’, and in younger children for example, that threshold would be lower before you’d seek assistance.

Also, a high temperature that persists more than just a few days could be a sign that an infection is more serious, or that fighting it is proving difficult for the immune system.

Getting this looked into is advised – particularly if some of the other red flags below are also present. The HSE website outlines the different levels and time periods that would be considered a red flag for different ages.

Lethargy – Energy levels are a good indicator of illness severity. Comparing how somebody is presenting now to how they would usually be gives a good sense of how sick they are and how much their body is struggling.

If someone is extremely low on energy, unresponsive, or unable to keep their eyes open, it suggests their body is under pressure and requires immediate medical attention.

Rash – the well-known glass tumbler test is a good one to remember if a rash appears on the body.

Meningitis is a potential consideration when this happens, and pressing a glass tumbler against it to see if it disappears is a test you can conduct to potentially rule this out. A rash that doesn’t disappear is called a ‘non-blanching’ rash and is cause for immediate concern.

However, any rash should prompt further investigation.

Respiration – looking at how somebody is breathing is another important thing to watch for if you’re wondering whether they’re seriously unwell.

A normal breathing rate depends on age. Breathing that’s shallow, fast/slow, irregular, and/or that pulls in under the ribs or at the neck can be a sign that the body is under pressure and rapid assessment is needed.

Another sign to watch out for would be a bluish tint on the lips or fingers, as this indicates that the body isn’t getting enough oxygen and could be in respiratory distress.

Colour – the expression ‘looking peaky’ is one of the things to keep an eye out for when somebody is unwell, often combined with one or more of the other symptoms mentioned above.

If somebody is very pale, and potentially clammy to the touch with it, this could be a sign of poor blood circulation due to fighting infection and may raise alarm bells.

Taking all of these symptoms into account can inform your next steps in getting medical attention.

Probably the most important red flag in relation to how unwell somebody is is your gut feeling.

Particularly as a parent, you know your child best - don’t be afraid to be heard, to call for attention and to ask questions if you’re concerned.

Take note of what you’ve seen, the timings of different symptoms, and of any medications the person is on or might have already taken.

Giving a full picture will help to progress treatment and facilitate the actions needed to get the person on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

In the case of an emergency, dial 999 or 112. If you are concerned, but in a non-emergency situation contact your GP or out-of-hours service.

Probably the most important red flag in relation to how unwell somebody is is your gut feeling. Particularly as a parent, you know your child best - don’t be afraid to be heard, to call for attention, and to ask questions if you are concerned.