Fall often means more than changing leaves and getting back into a school routine. Once children are spending more time together indoors, colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses can become part of the season, too.
For parents, one of the biggest questions is often: When is my child sick enough to call the doctor?
Most childhood illnesses are mild and improve with time, fluids and rest. But some symptoms deserve a conversation with your child’s primary care provider, while others require prompt or emergency medical attention.
Knowing what to watch for can help you feel more confident about what to do when your child isn’t feeling well.
When Is It Okay to Monitor Your Child at Home?
Many common childhood illnesses—including uncomplicated colds—can be managed at home while you monitor your child’s symptoms.
If your child has mild symptoms such as:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Mild cough
- Mild sore throat
- Occasional low-grade fever
- Mild fatigue
- Decreased appetite but continued drinking
- Symptoms that are gradually improving
You may be able to focus on rest, fluids and comfort while keeping an eye on how your child is doing.
How your child is acting and functioning can be just as important as the number on the thermometer. A child who has a fever but is drinking fluids, interacting with you and becoming more comfortable as the fever comes down may be less concerning than a child who seems unusually tired, difficult to wake or increasingly unwell.
If you are unsure, it is always appropriate to contact your child’s healthcare provider for guidance.
When Should You Call Your Child’s Primary Care Provider?
You don’t have to wait for an illness to become severe before calling your child’s doctor. Consider contacting your primary care provider when symptoms are persistent, worsening or affecting your child’s ability to eat, drink, sleep, play or participate in normal activities.
Fever that is persistent or concerning
Fever is common with childhood illnesses, but certain situations warrant a call to your child’s provider.
Call your child’s doctor if:
- Your child is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Your child’s fever repeatedly reaches 104°F (40°C) or higher
- A fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2
- A fever lasts more than 3 days in a child age 2 or older
- Your child continues to act sick even after the fever comes down
- Your child seems to be getting worse rather than better
- Age, overall health and other symptoms all matter when evaluating a child’s fever.
Breathing that doesn’t seem normal
Coughing and congestion are common during cold and flu season. But changes in breathing deserve attention.
Call your child’s provider promptly if you notice:
- Breathing that is noticeably faster than usual
- Wheezing
- Persistent or worsening cough
- Noisy breathing
- Mild difficulty breathing
- Symptoms of asthma that are not improving with your child’s usual treatment
Children with asthma or other chronic lung conditions may need to be evaluated sooner when respiratory symptoms develop.
Your child isn’t drinking or urinating normally
Illness can make it harder for children to stay hydrated, particularly when they have fever, vomiting or diarrhea.
Contact your child’s healthcare provider if your child:
- Is drinking significantly less than usual
- Is vomiting frequently
- Has a very dry mouth
- Is producing significantly fewer wet diapers or urinating much less often
- Has dark urine
- Is unusually weak or tired
Dehydration can become serious, particularly in younger children.
Symptoms improve and then get worse
Sometimes a child begins to feel better and then develops new or worsening symptoms.
A fever or cough that improves and then returns, worsening respiratory symptoms or new symptoms after an initial improvement can be signs that your child should be evaluated.
What About Earaches, Sore Throats and Persistent Coughs?
Not every cold needs to be evaluated, but certain symptoms can indicate that your child needs additional care.
Consider calling your child’s provider if your child develops:
- Significant ear pain or drainage from the ear
- A severe or persistent sore throat
- A cough that is getting worse instead of better
- Wheezing
- Facial or sinus pain
- A cough that continues for an unusually long time
- Symptoms that interfere with eating, drinking, sleeping or normal activities
These symptoms can sometimes occur with complications or infections that may require evaluation.
Your child’s primary care provider can determine whether your child needs an appointment, testing or treatment—or whether continued care at home is appropriate.
What If You Think Your Child Has the Flu?
Flu can look different from a typical cold. It often begins more suddenly and may cause fever, cough, body aches, headache, chills and significant fatigue.
If you suspect your child has the flu, contact their healthcare provider if they are very young, have an underlying health condition or their symptoms are severe or not improving.
Some children—including those younger than 5, particularly those younger than 2, and children with certain chronic health conditions—are at higher risk for flu complications. Antiviral treatment may be appropriate in some situations and works best when started early.
Your provider can help determine whether your child should be evaluated and whether testing or treatment is appropriate.
When Is It an Emergency?
Some symptoms should not wait for a routine sick visit.
Seek emergency medical care immediately if your child has signs such as:
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Ribs pulling inward with each breath
- Blue or gray lips or face
- Severe chest pain
- A seizure
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe dehydration
- Extreme difficulty waking or lack of alertness
- A serious injury or other potentially life-threatening emergency
For children with respiratory illnesses, fast or difficult breathing, blue lips or face, chest pain, severe dehydration, seizures or a significant change in alertness are among the CDC’s emergency warning signs.
If your child is having a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
What About Urgent Care?
Sometimes your child needs to be seen but does not have symptoms that require an emergency department.
Depending on your child’s symptoms and your local options, urgent care may be appropriate for issues such as an earache, mild breathing concerns, a minor injury or flu symptoms when your child is otherwise drinking, urinating and breathing comfortably.
If you are unsure whether your child needs the pediatrician, urgent care or emergency care, start by calling your child’s primary care office when appropriate. Your healthcare team can help you determine what level of care makes sense based on your child’s symptoms and medical history.
Why Your Child’s Primary Care Provider Matters During Sick Season
When your child is sick, having a primary care provider who knows their health history can make it easier to determine what to do next.
Your child’s provider can:
Evaluate new symptoms
From fever and coughs to earaches and sore throats, your provider can determine whether your child needs an in-person evaluation.
Consider your child’s health history
A cold may require a different approach for a child with asthma, a weakened immune system or another chronic condition.
Determine whether testing is appropriate
Depending on symptoms and the time of year, your provider may recommend testing for illnesses such as flu, COVID-19 or strep throat.
Discuss treatment options
Your provider can help determine whether your child needs prescription treatment, supportive care or continued monitoring at home.
Help manage ongoing conditions
Illnesses can sometimes make conditions such as asthma worse. Your child’s primary care provider can help monitor and manage those concerns.
Keep preventive care on track
A sick visit can also be an opportunity to make sure your child’s vaccines and other preventive care are up to date when appropriate.
What Should You Have Ready When You Call?
When you contact your child’s healthcare provider, having a few details ready can make the conversation easier.
Be prepared to share:
- Your child’s age
- When symptoms started
- Your child’s highest temperature and how it was measured
- Other symptoms you’ve noticed
- Whether symptoms are improving or getting worse
- How much your child is drinking
- Whether your child is urinating normally
- Any medications you’ve given and when
- Your child’s relevant medical conditions
- Whether your child has been exposed to someone who was sick
You don’t need to diagnose your child before calling. Your provider’s job is to help you determine what the symptoms may mean and what to do next.
A Few Ways to Prepare for Fall Sick Season
You cannot prevent every illness your child will encounter, but a little preparation can make sick days easier.
Keep a few basics on hand:
- A thermometer
- Age-appropriate fever or pain medication, if recommended for your child
- Tissues and other supplies for managing cold symptoms
- Your child’s current medication list
- Your primary care provider’s contact information
It is also a good time to review your child’s recommended vaccines, including the seasonal flu vaccine. Staying current on preventive care can help protect your child throughout the fall and winter.
Trust Your Parenting Instincts
You know your child better than anyone.
If something about your child’s behavior or symptoms concerns you—even if you are not sure whether it is serious—calling your child’s healthcare provider can help you determine what to do next.
Your child does not need to have a severe illness for you to reach out. Sometimes the most helpful thing your primary care team can provide is reassurance that your child can safely recover at home. Other times, they can identify when your child needs an appointment, testing, treatment or a higher level of care.
When in doubt, reach out.
Your Avance Care primary care provider is here to help you navigate sick visits, seasonal illnesses and your child’s health throughout the year.
Need to schedule a sick visit? Connect with your Avance Care primary care provider to discuss your child’s symptoms and determine the right next step.
