When to Call a Doctor for Your Child: Red Flags to Know

Every parent has asked this question at some point: is this normal, or should I call the doctor? Most fevers, colds and tummy bugs get better at home. But some signs mean your child needs help right away. Knowing these red flags can give you peace of mind and help you act fast when it matters.

This guide is based on advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and KidsHealth. Always trust your gut. If you are worried, call your doctor.

Call 911 right away if your child

• Can't wake up
• Is not moving or is too weak to stand
• Has severe trouble breathing, is struggling for each breath or can barely speak or cry
• Has purple or blood colored spots or dots on the skin
• Has a seizure for the first time, a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, or trouble breathing or waking up after a seizure
• Was knocked out for more than 1 minute after a head injury
• Has swallowed something poisonous and collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be woken up

If you think your child has a life threatening emergency, call 911. Don't wait.

Fever

A fever is often a good sign that the body is fighting an infection. The AAP says a fever is a temperature of:

• 100.4°F (38°C) or higher taken in the bottom, ear or forehead
• 100°F (37.8°C) or higher taken in the mouth
• 99°F (37.2°C) or higher taken under the arm

Ear thermometers are not accurate before 6 months of age. Forehead strips are not accurate either, so use a digital thermometer.

Call the doctor right away if

• Your baby is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. KidsHealth says to go to the ER if you can't reach your doctor. Do not give fever medicine before your baby is seen.
• The fever goes higher than 104°F (40°C).
• Your child has a fever and cries nonstop, cries when touched or moved, or seems very sick.

Call the doctor within 24 hours if

• Your baby is 3 to 6 months old and has a fever.
• A fever with no other symptoms lasts more than 2 days.
• A fever with other symptoms lasts more than 3 days.
• A fever goes away for more than 24 hours and then comes back.

KidsHealth says a fever is likely not serious if your child is still playing, drinking well, alert and smiling, and has normal skin color. Never give aspirin to children or teens.

Go to the ER if your child has a fever and

• Is hard to wake up, sluggish or not alert when awake
• Acts or talks confused
• Has a stiff neck, a bad headache or bad belly pain
• Is limp or refuses to move
• Has blue lips, tongue or nails
• Has a bulging or sunken soft spot on the head (in babies)
• Has trouble breathing that does not get better when you clear the nose
• Has a seizure

Breathing problems

Breathing problems can get worse quickly, especially in young babies. Call the doctor now if your child:

• Is breathing much faster than normal
• Is wheezing, which is a whistling sound when breathing out
• Has ribs that pull in with each breath. Go to the ER for this.
• Has trouble swallowing or new drooling

Learn more about colds, RSV and coughs in our post on respiratory tract infections in children.

Seizures

A seizure can be scary to see. The CDC shares these first aid steps:

• Gently turn your child on their side, with the mouth pointing to the ground.
• Don't put anything in their mouth. This can hurt their teeth or jaw.
• Time the seizure.
• Call 911 if it lasts more than 5 minutes, if it is your child's first seizure, or if your child has trouble breathing or waking up after it.

Even if a seizure is short and happens with a fever, your child should be checked by a doctor.

Dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea

Babies and young children can lose fluids fast when they vomit or have diarrhea. The AAP says to call the doctor now if you see signs of dehydration:

• No pee in more than 8 hours
• Dark pee
• A very dry mouth
• No tears when crying

KidsHealth also lists being less alert and less active. Call your doctor if your child has lasting diarrhea, keeps vomiting or won't drink. For home care tips, read our post on vomiting in toddlers.

Rashes

Most rashes are not serious. But purple or blood colored spots that look like bruises are an emergency, especially with a fever. Call 911. Call your doctor for any rash that comes with a fever.

Head injuries

Bumps and falls happen often. The AAP says to call 911 after a head injury if your child:

• Was knocked out for more than 1 minute
• Has a seizure
• Is hard to wake up
• Acts confused or has slurred speech
• Walks unsteadily or has weak arms or legs
• Can't move their neck normally. Protect the neck and don't move it.

Go to the ER if your child vomits 2 or more times, has a bad headache or crying that won't stop, or can't remember what happened. Call the doctor for any head injury in a baby under 1 year. To help stop falls before they happen, read our post on fall prevention in toddlers.

Poisoning

If you think your child swallowed something harmful, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control says to call 911 if your child collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be woken up.

What to have ready when you call

• Your child's age and weight
• Their temperature, how you took it and when
• When the symptoms started
• Any medicine you gave, how much and when
• How much your child is drinking and peeing
• Any health problems your child has

Big hurts and little hurts

Not every bump needs a doctor. Most small scrapes get better with a bandage and a hug. Our Band Aids Hugs and Kisses song is about a little penguin who gets a small scratch while playing in the snow and feels better with love from his family and friends. Our Boo Boo Song helps toddlers understand small bumps from tripping over toys or falling off a bike.

When a doctor visit is needed, our Doctor Song shows a gentle checkup with a stethoscope and a lollipop at the end for being brave. For more tips, read our post on helping your child feel brave at the doctor. You can find more kids songs on our music page.

Questions Parents Ask About Calling the Doctor

What temperature is too high for a baby?

For babies younger than 3 months, any temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher taken in the bottom means you should call the doctor right away. For older kids, call if the fever goes above 104°F (40°C).

Can a fever hurt my child's brain?

The AAP says fevers above 104°F cause discomfort but are harmless. A fever only becomes harmful on its own above 108°F (42.3°C), which is very rare. Still, call your doctor for a high fever so they can find the cause.

How long is too long for a fever?

Call your doctor if a fever with no other symptoms lasts more than 2 days, or if a fever with other symptoms lasts more than 3 days.

Does every fever need medicine?

No. KidsHealth says a child with a fever does not need medicine if they are playing, drinking and comfortable. Give medicine if your child is uncomfortable, but never give it to a baby under 3 months unless the doctor says to.

When should I go to the ER instead of calling the doctor?

Go to the ER or call 911 for trouble breathing, a seizure, blue lips, purple spots on the skin, a stiff neck, or a child who is very hard to wake up. If your baby is under 3 months with a fever and you can't reach your doctor, go to the ER.

What is the Poison Control number?

Call 1-800-222-1222 anywhere in the United States. Save it in your phone.

What if I'm just not sure?

Call your doctor. You know your child best. If something feels wrong, it is always OK to ask.

This post is for general information only. It is not medical advice. If you have questions about your child's health, please talk to your child's doctor.