When should I seek care for my child?
Call 112 if your child suddenly becomes seriously ill, has difficulty breathing, loses consciousness or has had a serious accident. If you are unsure how serious it is, call 1177 in Sweden at any time of day or night to talk to a nurse. Outside Sweden, 112 works across the EU, or call your local emergency number or healthcare advice line.
When should I call 112?
- Your child suddenly seems seriously ill.
- Your child has difficulty breathing or is unconscious.
- Your child has been in a serious accident.
- Your child has a seizure with fever for the first time.
When should I call 1177?
Call 1177 when you are unsure whether, where or how quickly your child needs care. A nurse assesses the symptoms, gives advice on what you can do yourself and guides you to the right clinic. 1177 is not an emergency number; for life-threatening conditions, always call 112.
My child has a fever. When do we need a doctor?
Fever itself is not dangerous, and most children with fever do not need care. Contact a health centre or out-of-hours clinic if the fever lasts more than four days. Contact one straight away if:
- The temperature is 41.0 °C or higher.
- Your child seems very ill, is in a lot of pain or cries inconsolably.
- Your child will not drink at all or shows signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or peeing less than usual.
- Your child has been in a tropical country and gets a headache or body ache.
Try this week
- Save 112 and your local healthcare advice number in your phone today.
- Take your child's temperature before you call for advice.
- If you call about an older child, keep them close: the nurse may want to talk to them.
When to get help
This guide follows Swedish advice from 1177. Outside Sweden, follow your local healthcare service. In an emergency, always call 112 or your local emergency number.