Babies and children: fever, diarrhea and vaccines
Children get fevers and loose stools often, and most get better at home with fluids, rest and care. Young babies are different: a fever in a baby under 3 months old needs a doctor the same day.
Vaccines protect children from serious illnesses such as measles, polio and pneumonia, and the vaccines in the government schedule are free at health centres. Bring your child's vaccination card to every visit.
The guides below explain how to care for a sick child at home, how to keep a child with diarrhea from drying out, and when to go to a health centre. Go to the emergency room straight away if your child has trouble breathing or a fit, is very sleepy or hard to wake, cannot drink, or shows signs of dehydration.
4 guidesUpdated November 1, 2026
In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call 911
Guides on this topic
Chickenpox (bulutong-tubig): symptoms, home care and when to worry
Chickenpox, or bulutong-tubig, is a very contagious virus that causes an itchy rash of spots that turn into blisters and then scabs. Most children get better at home in 1 to 2 weeks with fluids, paracetamol and cool baths. Never give aspirin, and avoid ibuprofen. Stay home until every spot has scabbed. Adults, pregnant women, newborns and people with a weak immune system can get very sick and should see a doctor the same day. Two doses of the vaccine prevent most cases.
Diarrhea (LBM): ORS, food and when to see a doctor
Diarrhea, or LBM, means loose or watery poo three or more times a day. It is usually caused by a gut infection from unsafe water or food and gets better within a week. The most important remedy is oral rehydration solution (ORS), which health centers and YAKAP clinics can give for free. Keep eating and keep breastfeeding. Go to a hospital for signs of severe dehydration, and see a doctor for blood in the poo, a baby with diarrhea, or diarrhea that does not get better.
Fever in babies and children: what temperature is too high and what to do
A fever is a temperature of 38°C or higher. In children it is usually caused by a common infection and gets better within a few days. Baby fever needs extra care: a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs a doctor straight away. For any child, how they look and act matters more than the number on the thermometer. In the Philippines, a fever lasting 2 days, especially in the rainy season, also needs a check for dengue.
Immunization schedule in the Philippines: free vaccines for babies
The immunization schedule tells you which vaccines your child needs and when. In the Philippines, the DOH National Immunization Program gives basic vaccines free at barangay health stations and health centers: BCG and hepatitis B at birth, pentavalent, polio and PCV at 6, 10 and 14 weeks, and measles vaccines at 9 and 12 months. Missed a dose? Your child can still catch up.
Common questions
Each answer is in the guide it links to.
Questions about your own situation?
Kiko, our Child health (under 5), answers in your language, free, any time. Kiko is an AI agent, not a person: in an emergency, call 911.