General Danger Signs (Age 2 months up to 5 years)

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Assess and Classify the Sick Child

• Do a rapid appraisal of all waiting children
• Greet the caregiver
• ASK THE CAREGIVER WHAT THE CHILD’S PROBLEMS ARE
• Determine if this is an initial or follow-up visit for this problem
• If follow-up visit, use the follow-up instructions 
• If initial visit, assess the child as follows: ASSESS, CLASSIFY and TREATMENT

Check for general danger signs

Ask

• Is the child able to drink or breastfeed?
• Does the child vomit everything?
• Has the child had convulsions during this illness?

Look

• Is the child lethargic or unconscious?
• Is the child convulsing now?

Classify All Children

Very severe disease
Any general danger sign	If child is unconscious or lethargic, give oxygen  Give diazepam if convulsing now  Test for low blood sugar, then treat or prevent  Give any pre-referral treatment immediately Quickly complete the assessment Keep the child warm Refer urgently

A Child with Any General Danger Sign Needs Urgent Attention and Referral:

Quickly complete the assessment, give pre-referral treatment immediately and refer as soon as possible

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Integrated Management of Childhood Illness 2022; Child (Age 2 months up to 5 years); Assess, Classify and Identify Treatment; General Danger Signs

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Last checked for updates: June 2023