I'm an EMT in a rural Virginia volunteer rescue squad.
I've heard several reports that the kid had a temp of 103 and was very lethargic.
There are two general rules when dealing with pediatric patients -- "peds:"
1. If the kid is screaming, crying, squalling, then, the kid is okay -- possibly in pain, likely frightened, but okay. Any kid that's screaming is moving air -- breathing -- and if the kid is wriggling around, he/she is pretty normal. Find out what's hurting and deal with it. Keep everyone calm, especially the mother.
2. If the kid is lethargic, you have a BIG problem, especially if you find temp over 100 and/or difficulty breathing. A kid like that will go downhill fast -- because -- little kids' systems do not have the reserve that an adult or teenager has. Of all the stuff an EMT deals with, the most frightening is a small child, clinging to mother or just lying there on the bed, not moving, not screaming, eyes wide open staring at you, struggling to breath.
This kid likely was in respiratory distress -- which leads to respiratory arrest which leads to cardiac arrest, and, in kids, the progression is fast, a matter of minutes. Struggling to breath and not crying or screaming is a sign the kid is barely able to breath. Should have had a neb or duo-neb treatment with high-flow oxygen.
As for the temp, the kid should have had ice packs applied -- crotch, under arms, head -- to help get the temp down.
Then the docs should have tested for flu and hit him with antibiotics and fluids, probably needed an IV.
But, hey, what do I know about it?
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