All parents know it is difficult to rest when their child feels sick. especially when your little one is an infant and he/she cannot tell you what is wrong. Understanding how to recognize when your child needs medical attention is important.
Fever is one of the most common symptoms of childhood illnesses. Fever in itself does not always mean you need to see a pediatrician. The age of your child as well, as additional symptoms and the duration of the fever, may help you decide when to call the pediatrician
Consider calling the pediatrician if:
- A fever over 104°F
- A fever above 100.4 °F in a baby under 3 months
- A fever that does not respond to over-the-counter fever medication, such as Tylenol and Motrin.
- Your child has additional symptoms, such as ear pain, sore throat, stiff neck, or headache
Coughing is a typical symptom of many illnesses, such as a cold, flu, or bronchitis. In many cases, simple remedies, such as a cool-mist humidifier or occasional bulb suctioning a baby, may help remove mucus and ease coughing.
Consider calling your pediatrician for coughing in the following cases:
- The cough is getting worse each day
- Breathing is faster than normal
- Wheezing is present
- The cough lasts more than a week
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
Vomiting. Your child may vomit due to various illnesses, such as gastroenteritis, food allergies, or the flu. Common at-home remedies may include eating bland crackers or drinking ginger ale. But vomiting can become serious if it leads to dehydration.
Call the pediatrician if:
- Your child’s stomach is hard or tender to the touch
- Signs of dehydration are present, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, sunken soft spots in babies, fewer tears when crying, and fewer wet diapers than normal in babies)
- Your child is unable to keep any liquids down
- Excessive sleepiness occurs
- If your baby is less than 2 months old and is vomiting, not just spitting up
Irritability is common and little ones and even older kids may get irritable for several reasons, such as being tired or hungry. But there are also times it could be a sign of an illness.
You may want to call the doctor in the following situations:
- Your baby is inconsolable
- Your child is crying much more than normal
- Additional symptoms are present, such as fever or headache
When you call the doctor, provide information that may help the physician assess the situation. Provide information on underlying conditions, how long symptoms have been going on, and the severity of symptoms. Painting a picture of what is happening helps your pediatrician have a better understanding of the situation.
Signs you should call 911
It is also important to recognize when to head to the ER or call 911. Signs you should get immediate medical help and not wait for a call back from the doctor include:
- Trouble breathing, which may include retractions (the area in between the ribs sucks in when inhaling)
- Bluish lips and fingernails
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (swollen lips, rash, wheezing)
- Decreased responsiveness
- Loss of consciousness
When in doubt, call the pediatrician for questions regarding any symptoms.