How to Know When to Take Your Sick Child to the Hospital

High Fever

• If a child is otherwise healthy, a fever usually doesn't indicate anything serious, according to the KidsHealth website. Fevers typically occur when a child is fighting an infection, but they can also be the result of immunizations or overdressing the child. While you don̵7;t have to treat all fevers, if a child has a high fever, it can cause discomfort and other problems such as dehydration. If your child̵7;s temperature is less than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, he often won̵7;t require medication unless he̵7;s uncomfortable. However, if you have an infant age 3 months or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. If your child is between 3 months and 3-years-old and has a fever of 102.2 degrees F or higher, call your doctor and ask if you should bring in the child for a visit.

Seizures

• In some children, a fever can trigger a febrile seizure, during which the child may look strange for a few minutes, then stiffen, twitch and roll his eyes. He will be unresponsive for a short time, but will then return to normal. Febrile seizures occur in 2 to 5 percent of all children between the ages of 6 months and 5-years-old and are usually harmless, according to HealthyChildren.org, a website of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A seizure that lasts more than five minutes is cause for concern -- and when this occurs, call 911 or take your child to the emergency room immediately. While most children outgrow febrile seizures by age 5, your child should see a doctor as soon as possible after his first febrile seizure.

Head and Neck Pain

• In general, kids can get headaches from the same kinds of triggers as adults, like skipping a meal, too little sleep or being under a lot of stress. Certain infections, such as the flu or strep throat, can also cause headaches. Usually a child̵7;s headache isn̵7;t the sign of something more serious; however, if your child has unexplained severe head and neck pain, call the pediatrician right away or go to the emergency room if it̵7;s after hours. While a sore neck and head pain may not be serious, these symptoms can indicate meningitis, an infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. This infection can spread into the brain tissue and cause brain damage. In addition to a severe headache and neck pain, other symptoms of meningitis include fever, vomiting, stiffness and sensitivity to light. In the very early stages of meningitis, it can appear to be the flu, so it̵7;s essential that the doctor examine the child for neck, spinal pain and stiffness to rule out meningitis.

Stomach Trouble

• For most stomach issues, waiting it out at home is the answer. Infants and children under age 3 can dehydrate quickly, so you should watch them carefully. If an infant is less than 3-months old and develops diarrhea, contact your pediatrician. If diarrhea in older infants or children lasts for 2 days or longer, you should also call your pediatrician. Signs of severe dehydration that require an immediate trip to the pediatrician or emergency room include going for eight hours with no urine output, a sunken in soft spot, skin that if pinched between fingers fails to spring back to its original shape, as well as severe lethargy and possible unconsciousness.

  Appendicitis, or the inflammation of the appendix, requires immediate medical attention. It usually occurs in children between the ages of 11 and 17, but can occur in younger children and even infants. The first symptoms of appendicitis usually are a mild fever and pain around the bellybutton. The pain usually worsens and moves to the lower right side of the belly. Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation and loss of appetite are other common symptoms. In kids age 2 or younger, the most common symptoms are vomiting and a bloated or swollen abdomen, accompanied by pain.

Injuries and Allergies

• You should call 911 or take your child to the emergency room immediately if he has uncontrolled bleeding, loses consciousness or can't breathe and is turning blue. Further, kids with severe allergies might be at risk for a sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. An allergic reaction can be a medical emergency if it affects two or more body systems. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat, wheezing, nausea and skin reactions.