When to Call Your Child's Doctor

While first-time parents want to call the doctor at the first sign of a fever, cough or runny nose, veteran parents may wait for more symptoms to develop. How do you know when your child needs to see a health-care provider?

In General
Call the doctor when:

• there is an alteration in consciousness, such as little interest in surroundings and toys, a lack of responsiveness or excessive sleeping;
• your child is "floppy" or has poor muscle control compared to usual levels;
• there is persistent pain in the belly or ears, head or neck.

Fever
Call the doctor when:

• an infant under 3 months old has a rectal temperature of 100.4° F or higher,
• a child from 3-6 months old has a rectal temperature of 102.5° F or higher,
• a child 6 months old has a rectal temperature of 103° F or higher,
• a fever lasts more than 72 hours,
• a child is not acting well, especially if the fever is already being treated.

The child who is up and about and playing happily with her toys, despite a temperature of 103?F, is of less concern than a child who is pale or limp and disinterested, even though her temperature may be 101? F or 102? F.

Respiratory Infections
Call the doctor when:

• breathing is difficult, rapid or the child grunts, sighs or wheezes,
• continuous green or yellow nasal discharge lasts longer than one to two weeks,
• skin tone changes in color - blue or pale lips may mean poor oxygenation,
• cry or voice is weak.

Ear Infections
Call the doctor when:

• an infant is irritable or cries incessantly,
• an older child complains of ear pain,
• moist drainage from the ear is visible,
• a child appears inattentive or doesn't respond to spoken words as well as usual.

Stomach Viruses
Call the doctor when:

• signs of dehydration, such as lethargy, diminished urination and inadequate drinking of fluids are present;
• the child has a high fever;
• continuous vomiting lasts more than several hours;
• a child cannot hold down clear liquids;
• vomit is bright green or yellow;
• stools are bloody;
• child has more than 10 stools per day;
• diarrhea lasts more than two weeks or anytime a child is acting sick.

Head and Body Injuries
Call the doctor when:

• a child under 1 year old has had a significant fall;
• a child has a loss of consciousness or is "knocked out" even just for seconds;
• a child continues crying beyond 10-15 minutes;
• grogginess, lethargy, drowsiness or vomiting is present;
• a bump is very swollen and bruised;
• there is a visible deformity;
• there is enough pain to significantly limit movement;
• child experiences persistent discomfort;
• there is visible damage to teeth, including chipping.

Rashes
Call the doctor when:

• a rash consists of pimples, pus pimples or open sores;
• a rash has worsened over a two-to-three-day period or spread quickly within hours;
• a diaper rash persists after three to four days in spite of treatment;
• a child acts sick or has fever along with rash.

Cuts
Call the doctor when:

• bleeding does not stop after applying pressure for 10 minutes;
• a cut is deep or edges are gaping or it is in a cosmetically-sensitive area;
• the tongue is cut through.

Burns
Call the doctor when:

• the skin blisters,
• a burn area is larger than the size of a quarter.

Animal Bites
Call the doctor when:

• an animal bite breaks the skin;
• a human, dog and other animal bites are deep enough to bleed and become infected.

© Parenthood.com, used with permission