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.

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Comments

Comments (17)

cardenacademy wrote:

When in doubt call a doctor!!! Whenever My kids is sick i immediately cal a doctor..

11/14/2011 03:07:15 AM Report Abuse

debgree3 wrote:

Fever is an indication that there is infection in the body. Unless it's vaccine related any temp over 100.8 deserves at least a call to your medical provider and let them decide if the symptoms are visit worthy. And when in doubt just go I rather look dumb to the doctor then crazy at the morgue.

8/11/2011 11:06:58 PM Report Abuse

zachsblondie691 wrote:

To all of you asking about teething pain and what to do I learned with my kido when he was teethin I used a bagel,put in the freazer over night then he would have something cold to help with pain but still soft also use a wash cloth wet id down freaze it over nigh,use teething righs with warther in em to freaze or teathing rings with the nubs to massage the gums.

4/19/2011 11:51:50 PM Report Abuse

crowlovemedici1 wrote:

I swear by the Hyland teething tabs. I used them the entire time with my daughter, they work wonders, no dangerous numbing.

3/10/2011 03:50:10 AM Report Abuse

valerie572 wrote:

My son is 2 months and he is already teething.I dont know what to do for that except for what i have been doing already which is baby oregel,it doesnt seem to work.He is to young to even hold a teething ring.What should i do?????????????????????Please help he cries alot because of his teeth growing in.

3/2/2011 01:37:42 PM Report Abuse

heatherklenski wrote:

When in doubt call a doc!!! Id much rather feel dumb than have my kids die from something that could have been halped!!!

1/25/2011 12:51:47 PM Report Abuse

skreutzer81 wrote:

If you think your child is sick and you are worried call the doctor! I have called the doctor may times, feeling stupid sometimes, about my son being sick or something not seeming right. Follow your motherly instincts most of the time they are correct.

1/25/2011 11:59:24 AM Report Abuse

b.baby_angel wrote:

my babygirl is almost 8 months and she's getting a tooth in she's been really fussy for 3 days now and cries alot...she's a very playfull and full of joy baby and these past 3 days she's been crying how can i help her? also she has red spots all over her back and tummy and now on her forhead and neck i dont know what it is should i be worried?

11/24/2010 01:45:44 PM Report Abuse

redbike2009 wrote:

Reaction to a vaccine.

10/1/2010 02:18:12 PM Report Abuse

kelsey_campbell wrote:

My son is 9 months old and when his teeth and gum start to bother him he gets and extreme temperature and get extremely sick. So kristy224, sometimes fever is not as serious as you make it out to be!!

7/28/2010 03:11:27 PM Report Abuse

libbydunning wrote:

i WOULD LIKE TO GATHER UP SOME INFO ON INFANTS AND THEIR ILLNESS

5/15/2010 09:01:09 PM Report Abuse

katiehargis wrote:

my daughter just woke up and has been shaking with extreme chills and has a fever of 101! Making me Nervous!!! I don't know if she is just sick or something more serious???

4/16/2010 03:26:57 AM Report Abuse

teh-5 wrote:

that was in response to mlyn27

12/30/2009 01:41:40 PM Report Abuse

teh-5 wrote:

it is probably 3 day measles (roseola) its not a big deal and will go away pretty quickly. All my kids had it.

12/30/2009 01:40:44 PM Report Abuse

roseandwes1 wrote:

mlyn27: my 10 1/2 month old son developed the same thing w/the red bumps, but no fever. the only other thing he has is a bit of diareah. maybe it's all related to the teething?

12/22/2009 05:57:41 PM Report Abuse

Flamingo29 wrote:

Fever = something is wrong in the body. I like how it is dismissed when it's vaccine related however.

12/21/2009 11:04:03 AM Report Abuse

mlyn27 wrote:

my son 18 months old is cutting teeth. he had a fever up to 101 2 days ago and not eating very good. and now he has tiny red bumps on his front and back. somebody help me to say what is this and is there a need to see him to the doctor ASAP. I really appreciate your answer

12/19/2009 05:24:48 AM Report Abuse

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