When to Call the Doctor: A Parent's Guide to Childhood Illnesses
When to Call the Doctor: A Parent's Guide to Childhood Illnesses
One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is knowing when your child's illness requires medical attention. This guide will help you make informed decisions about when to contact your pediatrician.
Understanding the Difference: Emergency, Same-Day, and Routine Care
Not all symptoms require the same level of urgency. Learning to distinguish between emergencies, issues needing same-day attention, and concerns that can wait will help you respond appropriately.
Emergency Situations: Call 911 or Go to ER Immediately
Seek emergency care if your child experiences: difficulty breathing (struggling to breathe, skin sucking in between ribs, inability to speak, blue lips or face), severe allergic reaction (swelling of face or lips, difficulty swallowing, hives with breathing difficulty), unresponsive or unusually difficult to wake, seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or first-time seizure, severe injury (significant bleeding that won't stop, suspected broken bone, head injury with loss of consciousness), poisoning, severe dehydration (no urine for 12+ hours, extreme lethargy), or signs of meningitis (stiff neck with fever, severe headache with fever, unusual rash that doesn't fade when pressed).
Same-Day Concerns: Call Your Pediatrician Right Away
Fever-Related: Any fever in baby under 3 months (100.4°F or higher), fever of 102°F or higher in baby 3-6 months, fever above 104°F at any age, fever lasting more than 3 days, or fever with unusual rash.
Breathing Issues: Wheezing or persistent coughing, fast breathing for age, cough interfering with sleep or eating, or barking cough.
Digestive Problems: Persistent vomiting for more than 12 hours, vomiting with severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, diarrhea with dehydration signs, or severe abdominal pain lasting more than 2 hours.
Ear and Throat: Severe ear pain or drainage, sore throat with difficulty swallowing, or swollen glands with fever.
Other Urgent Symptoms: Severe headache (especially with fever or vomiting), eye pain or vision changes, suspected urinary tract infection, behavior changes (confusion, extreme irritability, excessive sleepiness), or signs of infection after surgery or injury.
Warning Signs by Age Group
Newborns (0-3 Months): Any fever, poor feeding, excessive sleepiness, unusual fussiness, fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours, worsening jaundice, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.
Infants (3-12 Months): Fever with unusual irritability or lethargy, pulling at ears with fever, refusal to eat or drink for more than 8 hours, decreased wet diapers, or persistent crying.
Toddlers (1-3 Years): High fever with unusual behavior, difficulty walking or limping, severe pain they can't communicate, refusing all fluids, dramatic behavior change, or severe cough.
Preschool and School-Age (3+ Years): Persistent pain in one area, severe headache, symptoms that worsen instead of improve, difficulty keeping up with normal activities, or signs of strep throat.
Routine Appointments Can Wait For
Schedule a regular appointment for: mild cold symptoms without fever, minor rash without other symptoms, constipation without severe pain, questions about development or behavior, follow-up on previous illness, regular check-ups and vaccinations, minor injuries already healing, and non-urgent concerns about eating, sleeping, or behavior.
Red Flags: Trust Your Parental Instinct
Parents in Robbinsville, Princeton, and Hamilton should always call if: your child just doesn't seem right, your parental gut feeling says something is wrong, symptoms are mild but your child looks very sick, you're worried and need reassurance, or your child has a chronic condition and develops new symptoms.
If you have concerns about your child's health, our practice serving families throughout West Windsor, Bordentown, and East Windsor is here to help.
Preparing for the Call
When contacting your pediatrician, have ready: your child's temperature and how you measured it, list of symptoms and when they started, any medications given and doses, your child's weight, pharmacy information, eating, drinking, and diaper output, known exposures to illness, and specific questions or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What symptoms require immediate emergency care?
Call 911 or go to the ER immediately for difficulty breathing, bluish lips or skin, severe allergic reaction, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected poisoning, severe head injury with vomiting or loss of consciousness, seizures (first-time or lasting over 5 minutes), or extreme lethargy where your child can't be awakened.
What symptoms require same-day medical attention?
Contact your pediatrician urgently for high fever in babies under 3 months, fever above 104°F, severe pain, signs of dehydration (no wet diapers for 8+ hours, dry mouth, no tears), persistent vomiting, rash with fever, or any symptom that concerns you as a parent.
When can I wait and monitor at home?
You can usually monitor at home for mild cold symptoms, low-grade fever in older children who are acting normally, minor cuts and scrapes, mild stomach upset, or minor rashes without fever. Always trust your parental instincts and call if you're worried.
How do I know if my child is dehydrated?
Signs of dehydration include no wet diapers for 6-8 hours, crying without tears, dry mouth and lips, sunken soft spot in infants, extreme thirst, dark yellow urine, lethargy, and dizziness. Mild dehydration can be treated at home with frequent small sips of fluid, but severe dehydration needs medical attention.
Should I call during office hours or after hours?
For non-urgent questions that can wait, call during office hours when your regular pediatrician can review records and provide comprehensive advice. Use after-hours lines for urgent concerns that can't wait until morning but aren't emergencies. When in doubt, it's always okay to call.
What information should I have ready when calling the doctor?
Have your child's temperature, current medications, description of symptoms (when started, severity), any recent exposures to illness, and a list of questions ready. Note what you've tried at home and whether it helped. This helps your doctor assess the situation quickly.
Need Personal Guidance?
This article provides general information. For questions specific to your child's health, please call our office or book an appointment online.