RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
ChildrenCough
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Arrange GP review if the cough lasts more than 3 weeks, keeps returning, or regularly happens at night or during exercise.
- Get urgent advice today for new wheezing, faster breathing, poor feeding, fewer wet nappies or less pee, or fever lasting 5 days.
- Get urgent advice now for a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or more, or aged 3 to 6 months with a temperature of 39°C or more.
- A barking cough or noisy breathing may be croup and needs medical advice. Do not use steam as a treatment.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- Contact your GP when the surgery is open. If it is closed, you cannot get the help you need, or you are unsure what to do, call NHS 111. You can call even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Severe breathing difficulty, being unable to speak normally, or becoming exhausted with breathing.
- Coughing up more than a few spots or streaks of blood, or coughing blood with chest pain or breathlessness.
- Sudden choking with inability to breathe or speak.
- A high-pitched breathing noise with obvious breathing difficulty.
- Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
- Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
- Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
- Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
