As a parent, deciding whether your sick child needs urgent medical care or can be monitored at home can be extremely challenging. But there are certain alarming red flags that signal you should immediately seek pediatric care without delay. Recognizing these danger signs could save your child’s life.

1. Extremely High Fevers

While fevers in children are common, high temperatures may indicate serious infection or illness. In our experience, if your baby under three months has a rectal temperature of 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher, or 103 F for a three to 6-month-old, immediately call the pediatric office. For children over six months, go directly to the pediatrician if the fever exceeds 104 F along with other symptoms like vomiting, sore throat, or rash. Extremely high fevers can quickly cause seizures, brain damage, and dehydration without swift treatment.

2. Rapid or Labored Breathing

Any time your child displays rapid breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, blue-tinged lips, rib retractions, or other breathing difficulties, it signifies a pediatric emergency. Proceed directly to the pediatric office or call an ambulance at the first signs of abnormal breathing. It may indicate bronchitis, pneumonia, an asthma attack, or other problems requiring oxygen, medication, or other urgent care interventions.

3. Neurological Changes After Injury

Headaches, stiff neck, confusion, excessive drowsiness, or strange behaviors after any head blow or fall necessitate immediate pediatric assessment, even if symptoms seem mild. Seek emergency care to check for concussion, bleeding in the brain, or other potentially life-threatening complications that require prompt medical management in a pediatric facility.

4. Dehydration

If your child is showing signs of dehydration like no wet diapers for eight hours, dry cracked lips, sunken eyes, and lethargy, quickly take them into the pediatrician's office. Dehydration can happen fast in little ones and lead to kidney failure if left untreated. The pediatrician can provide IV fluids and monitor electrolyte levels.

Most importantly, if your gut says something seems wrong with your child, promptly consult pediatric care without delay. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and have the pediatrician examine your child. According to the CDC, 93.9% of children had a doctor's appointment in 2022. Your parental instinct picks up on subtle signs your child needs help. When your child needs to be seen by a pediatric office, let us help. Call Tennessee Valley Pediatrics now to schedule your appointment.