8 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore in Children

7. Breathing Troubles

If your child is not breathing, call 911. If your child has shortness of breath, is panting without exercising, or is wheezing, call your doctor. Excessive coughing may indicate asthma, a serious illness, or something is lodged in the esophagus or trachea.

Look for blue around mouth, fingernails and lips. Check that the skin tone is not grey or pale. Watch nostrils to see if they are flaring. Check the ribcage to see if the skin sucks in as the child breathes.

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