If the patient has had fever during the past 2–3 days, first ask about and then look for danger signs:

Ask:

• Is the patient unable to drink?
• Has the patient had convulsions (fits)?
• Does the patient vomit repeatedly?
• How much urine does the patient pass? Very little? None at all? Is it dark?
• Is the patient breathing fast, or having difficulty breathing?
• Does the patient have yellowish eyes, mouth or palms?

Look:

• Is the patient abnormally sleepy, difficult to wake, or confused?
• Does the patient have anaemia?
• Does the patient have severe dehydration? (Look for sudden weight loss, loose skin, sunken eyes, dry mouth)
• Is the patient unable to stand or sit?
• Is the patient breathing fast, or having difficulty breathing?
• Does the patient have yellowish eyes, mouth or palms?