My child is sick – when to see a doctor?

When to See a Doctor for Fever, Colds, and Other Common Illnesses

If your little explorer has a cough, stomach ache, or fever, it can be hard to watch. Fortunately, especially with babies and young children, these are often harmless complaints that can be eased quickly with rest and loving care from mom or dad. But how can you tell when it’s time to take your child to the doctor, and are there alternatives? We answer these questions in the following article.

The immune system of babies and toddlers is not as strong as that of adults, who have already overcome numerous illnesses throughout their lives. Your little explorer may therefore experience up to 12 febrile infections per year. At the same time, children often show more pronounced symptoms during illnesses than adults. For example, babies and toddlers, whose airways are still narrower, are more affected by viral infections that attack the mucous membranes. Even if your little explorer is likely to struggle with infections frequently during the first years of life, administering medication or visiting a doctor is not always necessary. The older your child gets, the better you will be able to assess whether their symptoms can be relieved at home or whether you should seek medical advice.

When should I take my child to the doctor?

Every child is unique, and every situation is different – however, the following list can serve as a guideline when deciding whether to consult your pediatrician.

In certain emergencies, you should immediately go to the doctor or emergency room with your child. This includes:

  • Severe shortness of breath

  • Apathy

  • Disturbances of consciousness (your child appears confused or is unresponsive)

  • Neck stiffness

  • Your child is having a seizure or collapses to the ground for no apparent reason

  • Serious injuries, especially to the head

In other cases, medical care depends on the severity of the symptoms and your child's overall condition. However, for certain symptoms, you should contact your pediatrician in a timely manner :

Fever

  • Fever over 40 degrees Celsius

  • The fever cannot be lowered

  • Fever in babies under three months

  • Fever lasting longer than three days

  • Additional symptoms such as headache, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or rash

  • Febrile seizure

  • Your child is not consuming enough fluids

What else you should know about fever and elevated temperature, you will find in the article "".

Viral infections

  • Shortness of breath or labored breathing

  • Cough or fever in babies under three months

  • A cough or cold that lasts longer than a week, does not improve, or even worsens

  • Severe coughing

  • Hoarseness, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or pain when breathing

  • Additional symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting

  • Yellow-green nasal discharge or severe headaches that may indicate a sinus infection

  • Ear pain that lasts longer than two days

  • Suppurative tonsillitis

  • Rashes that may indicate a contagious disease

  • More frequent or prolonged sneezing, which could indicate an allergy

Which home remedies for harmless colds can help, we reveal in our article " ".

Stomach pain

  • Sudden, severe abdominal pain (distended or sunken abdomen; your child hardly moves or pulls their legs in, is pale, screams, or cries)

  • Pain that does not improve or recurs even after an hour

  • Additional symptoms of illness such as persistent diarrhea , bloody stool, frequent bloating , fever, vomiting, or chills

  • A hard, tense abdominal wall

  • Stomach pain that occurs even at night

  • Your child has been complaining of stomach pain for an extended period without any apparent reason

  • White Stool

  • Your child is not drinking, their lips and tongue are dry, and they urinate less often than every six hours

Vomiting

  • Additional symptoms such as fever and diarrhea

  • Your child is vomiting multiple times without an apparent reason

  • Your child is not drinking

  • Vomiting after a fall or accident

  • Additionally, severe abdominal pain

  • Morning vomiting on an empty stomach

  • Your child is noticeably apathetic and quiet

Headaches

  • Headaches that last longer than three days

  • Severe headaches that intensify

  • Sudden headaches and additional symptoms such as fever and neck pain

  • Headache behind the forehead or cheekbones during a flu-like infection

  • Headaches, dizziness, and visual disturbances after a fall or blow

  • Regularly occurring headaches

Also unclear complaints or an unusual overall condition in your child warrant seeking medical advice.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your little explorer, it’s best to call your pediatrician’s office first and describe your child’s symptoms. After speaking with the doctor, you will likely receive a prompt appointment for a consultation or a recommendation on how to relieve their symptoms and what the next steps should be. On weekends or outside of office hours, you can also contact your local pediatric emergency service at any time.

Foire aux questions

Is it normal for my baby to get sick frequently?

The immune system of babies is not yet fully developed. Therefore, it is normal for babies and toddlers to experience up to 12 febrile infections per year. The administration of medication or a visit to the doctor is not always necessary. When in doubt, always consult your doctor.

My child is sick – when should I see a doctor?

In emergencies such as difficulty breathing, lethargy, consciousness disturbances, neck stiffness, seizures, or serious injuries, especially to the head, you should take your child to the doctor or emergency room as quickly as possible.

Are there alternatives to visiting the doctor?

In acute, non-life-threatening cases, you can alternatively use telemedicine instead of visiting a doctor. The doctors can, among other things, recommend treatment over the phone or provide an initial medical assessment for allergies, rashes, diarrhea, cough, or colds.

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