When to Seek Medical Care

You should call your child's doctor if any of the following are present with fever.

• Your child is younger than 6 months of age since birth (regardless of prematurity).
  
  
• You are unable to control the fever.
  
  
• You suspect your child may become dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, or not drinking (sunken eyes, dry diapers, tented skin, unarousable, etc.).
  
  
• You have been to your child's doctor, and your child is now getting worse or new symptoms have developed.

Although you may have done your best to care for your child, sometimes it is smart to take your child to the emergency department. Your child's doctor may meet you there, or your child may be evaluated and treated by the emergency doctor.

You should take your child to an emergency clinic when any of the following happen:

• You have serious concerns and are unable to contact your child's doctor.
  
  
• You suspect your child is dehydrated.
  
  
• A seizure occurs.
  
  
• Your child has a purple or red rash.
  
  
• A change in consciousness occurs.
  
  
• Your child's breathing is shallow, rapid, or difficult.
  
  
• Your child is younger than 2 months of age.
  
  
• Your child has a headache that will not go away.
  
  
• Your child continues to vomit.
  
  
• Your child has complex medical problems or takes prescription medications on a chronic basis (medications ordered for more than two weeks' duration).