Guide · Updated November 2026

Sick child on holiday in Lisbon: what to do

Children often get ill when travelling: new food, long journeys and tiredness all play a part. Most cases are mild, but knowing the warning signs and your options makes it far less stressful.

Warning signs: call 112 or go to hospital

• A baby under 3 months with a fever of 38 °C or more.
• Difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, or very fast breathing.
• A rash that does not fade when you press a glass on it.
• Your child is very drowsy, hard to wake, floppy or confused.
• Signs of dehydration: no wet nappy or no urine for 8 hours or more, no tears, a very dry mouth.
• A seizure, a severe headache with a stiff neck, or vomiting that will not stop.

Lisbon has a dedicated public children's hospital, Hospital Dona Estefânia, and several private hospitals have paediatric emergency services.

Common problems that usually do not need a hospital

• Fever with a cold, cough or sore throat in a child who is still drinking and responsive.
• Ear pain, often after flights or swimming.
• Diarrhoea and vomiting from a stomach bug.
• Rashes from heat, sun or insect bites.

For these, a doctor can examine your child at your hotel or Airbnb, tell you whether treatment is needed and write a prescription if it is. You avoid taking a sick child across the city and waiting for hours.

What to have ready for the doctor

• Your child's passport or ID, and yours.
• Their weight, if you know it, and any medicines you have already given, with the times.
• Any allergies or medical conditions, and their vaccination record if you have it on your phone.
• For children under 16, a parent or legal guardian must be present and give consent.

Medicines in Portuguese pharmacies

Children's paracetamol and ibuprofen are sold in pharmacies without a prescription, but brands and strengths differ from home. Always ask the pharmacist and follow the dose on the label for your child's age and weight. Antibiotics always need a prescription.

Keeping your child hydrated

With vomiting or diarrhoea, small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution (ask for solução de reidratação oral at the pharmacy) every few minutes are better than large drinks.

This guide is published by DoctorsPortugal (Lighthouse Health Concierge, Unipessoal Lda.), a doctor home-visit service in Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra. The information here is general and does not replace medical advice. In an emergency, call 112.