--- title: "Is My Child Sick or Just Tired? Warning Signs in Children Under 5 | BIMA Ghana" description: "Learn the child health warning signs every Ghanaian parent should know — signs of malaria, anaemia, fever, and when to take your child to hospital." keywords: "child health warning signs Ghana, sick baby signs Ghana, when to take child to hospital Ghana, signs of malaria in children Ghana, anaemia in children Ghana, child fever Ghana, sick toddler signs Ghana, child health Ghana" url: "https://bima.com.gh/blog/child-health-warning-signs-ghana" language: "en" --- # Is My Child Sick or Just Tired? Warning Signs in Children Under 5 Every parent knows the worry — your child is grumpy, hot, and crying, but are they really sick or just overtired? Learn the child health warning signs in Ghana that tell you when to act fast, when to monitor at home, and when to call a doctor immediately. BIMA Ghana Team Bringing healthcare & insurance to every Ghanaian family Sept. 10, 2026 Every parent in Ghana knows this moment. Your child woke up grumpy, is not eating, feels warm, and keeps crying. Is it a fever? Malaria? Or did they just sleep badly? This question — **is my child sick or just tired?** — is one of the most common worries for parents of children under 5. Getting it wrong in either direction has consequences: ignore a real illness and it can become dangerous. Panic every time and you spend every week at the clinic. This guide gives you the knowledge to tell the difference. ## Why It Is Hard to Tell If a Young Child Is Sick Children under 5 cannot tell you what hurts. They cry when they are hungry, tired, scared, teething, or sick — and the cry often sounds the same. Young children also get ill faster than adults. A child who seems fine in the morning can have a high fever by afternoon. At the same time, a child who woke up looking terrible after a bad night's sleep may be perfectly healthy by 10am. The key is to learn the difference between **tiredness and discomfort** \(which a child works through on their own\) and **genuine illness warning signs** that require medical attention. In Ghana, where malaria, anaemia, and respiratory infections are common in young children, knowing these signs can save a life. ## Red Flag Signs That Always Need a Doctor These are the **sick baby signs in Ghana** that should never be ignored or waited out at home. If your child shows any of these, contact a doctor or go to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately: * **Any fever in a baby under 3 months old** — even a mild temperature is serious in very young babies. Do not wait. * **Fever above 38.5°C \(101.3°F\)** that does not come down with paracetamol, or has lasted more than 2 days. * **Difficulty breathing** — breathing very fast, nostrils flaring, the skin pulling in between the ribs or at the throat with each breath. * **Cannot drink or breastfeed** — if a child is refusing all fluids for several hours, they are at serious risk of dehydration. * **Vomiting everything they drink or eat** — a child who cannot keep fluids down will dehydrate quickly, especially in Ghana's heat. * **Convulsions or fits** — shaking, stiffening of the body, eyes rolling back, or loss of consciousness. Go to hospital immediately. * **Very pale palms, lips, or inside of the lower eyelids** — this is a sign of severe anaemia, which can be life-threatening in young children. * **Child is unusually quiet, floppy, hard to wake, or does not respond normally** — this is a medical emergency. Important In Ghana, malaria is the most common cause of fever and convulsions in children under 5. A fever that started suddenly and is getting worse should always be tested for malaria — do not wait for a rash or other signs. B BIMA Ghana Health Save this card. Share on WhatsApp with family. ### 🚨 7 Signs Your Child Needs a Doctor _NOW_ For children under 5 years old — Ghana 1 **High fever above 38.5°C** — or any fever in a baby under 3 months 2 **Fast or difficult breathing** — nostrils flaring, ribs showing with each breath 3 **Cannot drink or breastfeed** — refusing all fluids for more than a few hours 4 **Vomiting everything** — cannot keep any food or water down 5 **Convulsions or fits** — shaking, stiffening, eyes rolling back 6 **Pale palms, lips, or inner eyelids** — sign of serious anaemia 7 **Very sleepy, floppy, or cannot be woken** — this is an emergency bima.com.gh [See a Doctor Now](/bcare_network) ## Signs of Malaria in Young Children Malaria is the number one cause of childhood illness and death in Ghana. Young children — especially those under 5 — are at the highest risk because their immune systems have not yet built up any protection. The problem is that **malaria signs in children** can look exactly like a bad cold or flu in the beginning. Watch for these **malaria warning signs in young children** : * **Sudden high fever** — the fever often comes on fast, sometimes with chills and shivering * **Fever that goes up and down** — the child seems better for a few hours, then the fever returns, often worse than before * **Vomiting and not wanting to eat** — young children with malaria often refuse food and vomit frequently * **Headache and body aches** — older toddlers may hold their head or be very sensitive to touch * **Unusual sleepiness or weakness** — a child with malaria often has no energy and just wants to lie down * **Pale or yellow-looking skin or eyes** — malaria destroys red blood cells, which can cause anaemia and even jaundice * **Fits or convulsions** — this is a sign of severe malaria and is a medical emergency If your child has had a fever for more than 24 hours — especially if it keeps coming back — take them for a malaria rapid test. This test takes just a few minutes at any clinic or pharmacy. Do not give malaria medicine without a confirmed test result, as this can lead to drug resistance. ## Signs of Anaemia in Children **Anaemia in children in Ghana** is very common and often goes unnoticed because it develops slowly. It means the blood does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. In children, it is usually caused by malaria, poor diet \(low in iron\), or repeated worm infections. A child with anaemia will look sick but may not have a fever. These are the key **signs of anaemia in children** to look for: * **Pale palms** — press your child's palm flat and look at the colour. Healthy palms are pink. Pale or white palms are a warning sign. * **Pale inside the lower eyelid** — gently pull down the lower eyelid. The inner surface should be bright red or pink. If it looks pale pink or white, see a doctor. * **Pale lips and gums** — the mouth area loses its normal redness * **Always tired, no energy to play** — the child seems exhausted even after sleeping * **Breathing fast even at rest** — the heart and lungs work harder to compensate for low oxygen in the blood * **Poor appetite and slow growth** — anaemic children often eat poorly and do not grow as expected * **Swollen tummy** — in some children, the spleen becomes enlarged from fighting repeated malaria infections, causing a visible bulge Severe anaemia can be life-threatening in children under 5 and may require a blood transfusion. If you notice pale palms or eyelids, especially after a recent malaria illness, take your child to hospital without delay. ## When to Go to Hospital vs When to Monitor at Home Not every sick child needs to rush to hospital. Use this simple guide to decide what to do: What You See| What to Do ---|--- Mild fever \(below 38.5°C\), child is drinking and active| Give paracetamol, monitor at home for 24 hours Fever above 38.5°C or fever lasting more than 2 days| See a doctor today — test for malaria Child is not eating but still drinking fluids, no other red flags| Monitor for 24 hours, keep giving fluids Vomiting more than twice, or cannot keep fluids down| See a doctor today — dehydration risk Loose stools \(diarrhoea\) but child is still drinking| Give ORS \(oral rehydration salts\), monitor closely Diarrhoea with blood, or child is not drinking| Go to hospital immediately Mild cough with no breathing difficulty| Monitor at home, see a doctor if it worsens after 2 days Fast breathing, ribs showing, or nostrils flaring| Go to hospital immediately Pale palms or eyelids| See a doctor today — test for anaemia Convulsions, fits, or cannot be woken| Emergency — go to hospital immediately ## How to Describe Your Child’s Symptoms to a Doctor Whether you visit a clinic or speak to a doctor by phone through BIMA teleconsultation, being able to describe your child's symptoms clearly will help the doctor give you the right advice faster. Before you call or visit, note down the answers to these questions: ### 📋 Symptom Checklist for the Doctor ✓ **Age and weight** — e.g. "My son is 2 years old and weighs about 11kg" ✓ **When did it start?** — e.g. "Fever started yesterday afternoon" ✓ **Temperature** — if you have a thermometer, give the number. If not, say whether the child feels warm or very hot ✓ **Is the child eating and drinking?** — e.g. "She refused all food but drank a little water" ✓ **Is the child passing urine?** — dry nappies for many hours is a sign of dehydration ✓ **Any vomiting or diarrhoea?** — how many times in the last 24 hours? ✓ **Any rash, swelling, or pale skin?** — describe where and what it looks like ✓ **Any medicine given so far?** — name, dose, and when it was given Having these answers ready saves time and helps the doctor assess your child faster. ## See a Doctor for Your Child in Minutes With BIMA Teleconsultation Getting your sick child to a hospital in Ghana can mean long journeys, crowded waiting rooms, and hours of waiting — often when your child is at their most uncomfortable. BIMA's teleconsultation service lets you speak to a qualified doctor by phone, any time of day or night, from wherever you are. * **24/7 access to a doctor** — speak to a qualified medical professional at midnight, on a Sunday, or during a public holiday * **No travel, no queue** — get medical advice without leaving your home or taking a sick child on public transport * **Prescription and referral** — if your child needs medication or a hospital visit, the doctor will guide you on exactly what to do next * **Peace of mind** — speak to a real doctor and know whether to monitor at home or go straight to hospital * **Affordable and simple** — covered under your BIMA plan, with no complicated paperwork When your child is sick and you are worried, the last thing you need is to wonder whether it is serious enough to make the trip. With BIMA, you can ask a doctor in minutes and get a clear answer. [Speak to a Doctor Now — BIMA Teleconsultation](/bcare_network) ## Frequently Asked Questions What temperature is too high for a child in Ghana? + A temperature above 38.5°C \(101.3°F\) is considered a high fever and should be assessed by a doctor, especially in children under 5. Any fever at all in a baby under 3 months old is a medical emergency. Give paracetamol at the correct dose for your child's weight while you arrange to see a doctor. How do I know if my child has malaria and not just a cold? + Malaria usually causes a sudden high fever that comes and goes, vomiting, weakness, and sometimes fits. A cold usually causes a runny nose, mild cough, and low-grade fever, and the child remains fairly active. In Ghana, any fever in a child under 5 that lasts more than 24 hours should be tested for malaria with a rapid test at a clinic or pharmacy. What are the signs of anaemia in a child? + The most reliable signs are pale palms \(press the palm flat — healthy palms are pink\), pale inner eyelids \(gently pull down the lower eyelid\), and pale lips or gums. Other signs include constant tiredness, fast breathing, poor appetite, and slow growth. Anaemia in children is often caused by malaria, iron-poor diet, or worm infections. When should I go straight to hospital and not wait? + Go to hospital immediately if your child has convulsions or fits, is difficult to wake up or unresponsive, has very fast or difficult breathing, cannot keep any fluids down, has blood in their stool or urine, or is very pale. These are signs of a serious emergency that cannot wait for a teleconsultation. Can I use BIMA teleconsultation for my sick child? + Yes. BIMA's teleconsultation service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can use it to get medical advice for your child at any time. The doctor will help you decide whether to monitor at home, go to a clinic, or head straight to hospital. If your child shows any emergency warning signs, however, go to hospital first without waiting.