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Does my child need to see a doctor?
As a parent, you're very concerned about your child's health. When your son or daughter is sick, deciding whether to take him or her to the doctor can be confusing — you want help when it's truly needed but you'd also like to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor. Use the following guidelines to help you decide when your child should see a doctor:
Newborn to One Year
Take your baby to the doctor in case of:
- Fever above 100.4 (rectal) for babies up to one month old
- Fever above 101 (rectal) for ages 3-6 months
- Fever above 104 (rectal) for ages 6 months to 1 year
- Earache
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bulging of the fontanelle (the soft spot on a baby's head)
- Change in normal eating patterns
- Vomiting continuing for more than 8-12 hours
- White patches on tongue or in mouth
- "Pink eye"
One to Eighteen Years
Visit a doctor in case of:
- Unconsciousness or near unconsciousness
- Seizure
- Earache
- Trouble breathing
- Widespread rash
- Ingestion of chemicals
- Vomiting for more than 12 hours
- Vomiting or coughing blood
- Yellow hue to eyes or skin
- Severe stomach pain
- Painful urination
- Bloody stool
- Discharge from the eyes or ears
Conditions and illnesses that can be treated at home
You can treat your child's condition yourself in certain cases:
- Minor cuts, scrapes and rashes
- Common cold or flu
- Low-grade fever
When in doubt
The above guidelines don't cover every illness or condition your child might face. If you're still unsure, call:
MeritCare's Children's phone nurse at (701) 234-3622 or our 24-hour nurse phone line — ASK-A-NURSE — at (701) 234-5000 or (800) 821-5167