Topcliffe Surgery, Topcliffe, Thirsk, YO7 3RP

Tel. 01845 577297 * Fax. 01845 577128

L When to call the doctor

severe chest pain lasting more than 10 minutes
severe breathing difficulties
coma, collapse, first fit or repetitive convulsions
serious injuries where these are life-threatening or it is inappropriate to move the injured person
coughing or vomiting a lot of pure blood

General symptoms and signs

a small child or baby who is unwell or not feeding
a child who is drowsy or cannot be woken
high fevers of 104 (40ºC) or higher that do not come down to 101 or 102 (38.3 to 38.9ºC) with cooling (and paracetamol or ibuprofen if appropriate)
lethargy - more than a child just not acting right or laying quietly but limp, lifeless, unresponsive, or won't make eye contact
irritability - more than just fussiness but crying for hours and almost impossible to console

Cough and chest problems

Cystitis

Diarrhoea

a baby or a child with diarrhoea who is drowsy or refuses to drink for a few hours (contact the doctor immediately)
blood with diarrhoea (contact the doctor immediately if a child)
fever with diarrhoea
diarrhoea lasting more than 2 days in a child, a week in an adult
passing little or no urine for over 6 hours (babies and young children) or 12 hours (older children and adults)
a stomach bug that may have been picked up overseas

Ear problems

Indigestion

symptoms that do not settle
pain on swallowing
food sticking when swallowing
beginning to lose weight
blood in any vomit or passing black sticky stools (contact the doctor immediately)

Meningitis

This is very rare. Call the doctor immediately (or dial 999 for an ambulance) if you suspect it. Signs include:

vomiting
high temperature or fever
severe headache
stiff neck or pain in the back of the neck
dislike of bright lights
drowsiness or lethargy - more than a child just not acting right or laying quietly but limp, lifeless, unresponsive, or won't make eye contact
irritability - more than just fussiness but crying for hours and almost impossible to console
fits (convulsions)
a rash, usually starting as small red of purple pin pricks that then join to form red and purple blotches

Throat problems

a sore throat that lasts more than two days, if it is beefy, red, swollen, and covered with pus
severe problems swallowing

Vomiting

vomiting for more than 24 hours
vomiting with stomach ache that is getting worse
vomiting blood
vomiting with a high fever
a baby refusing feeds and not keeping down any fluids
a child who is becoming drowsy
when there has been little or no urine for over 6 hours (babies and young children) or 12 hours (older children and adults)

If you do not have a dentist telephone NHS Direct on 0845 86 87 who will give you the name of a dentist with whom you can register.