10 Reasons to Call the Doctor Now

Is your child sick enough for a late-night call to the pediatrician? If you're really worried about your child, it's always better to call -- pediatricians expect to be awakened in the middle of the night. In fact, doctors say that many parents don't recognize some of the most serious medical situations. Here are the top 10 symptoms pediatricians want you to call about right away.

By Rosemary Black

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Fever in a young baby

If your infant is 2 months or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F. or higher, he could be sicker than he seems. (One exception to this rule is if your 2-month-old just got his vaccinations and runs a low-grade fever within 36 hours.) Young babies usually don't show a lot of symptoms, but they can quickly develop a serious bacterial infection because their immune system is still immature, says Sue Hubbard, MD, a pediatrician in Dallas. Parents often assume their baby just has a cold, but colds usually don't cause a fever at this age. A doctor will see an infant with a fever as soon as possible, but if it's the middle of the night, your pediatrician may send you to the ER.

Next: Constant coughing