When to Call the Doctor
Call your child’s pediatrician or family physician immediately (night or day) if:
-
Your child looks or acts very sick.
-
Breathing becomes difficult or fast.
-
Dehydration occurs (signs are no urination within 12 hours, dry mouth and no tears).
Call your child’s doctor during the day if:
-
You think your child needs to be seen.
-
Your child is in the high-risk group.
-
Earache or sinus pain occurs.
-
Fever lasts longer than three days.
-
Cough lasts longer than three weeks.
-
Symptoms worsen.
Barton Schmitt, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician at Children's Hospital Colorado. He has been practicing medicine for 40 years and has received two distinguished awards from the American Academy of Pediatrics, including the Child Development Award in 1994, followed by the Education Award in 2004. A father of four and grandfather of eight, he most recently completed the third edition of Your Child’s Health, now available in bookstores.
Written by Barton D. Schmitt, MD. Revised November 2009.
