Parents: When to Call Your Doctor
Parents: When to Call Your Doctor
The signs and symptoms of infection that are listed here should be brought to your doctor’s attention. Of course, whenever your child has a symptom that concerns you, you should not hesitate to call your doctor, whether or not the symptom appears on this list. Although some symptoms of illness differ depending on a child’s age, some are the same for all children.
For any child, infant to adolescent, call your doctor if you observe any of the following:

High fever (the level of fever that is considered significant depends on the age of the child, the illness, and whether the child has other symptoms with the fever)
Chills that make the child shake all over
Loss of consciousness
Extreme sleepiness or unexplained lethargy
Unusual excitement or hysterical crying
Sudden weakness or paralysis of any part of the body
Seizures (convulsions) or uncontrollable shaking of an arm or leg
Severe headache
Pain, heaviness, or stuffiness around the nose, eyes, or forehead
- Nasal fluid that is discolored, bad-smelling, or bloody
- Sudden hearing loss
Earache
Fluid discharge from the ear
Sudden decrease in vision
Eyes that are red, swollen, and watery, with or without blurred vision
Eyes that are extremely sensitive to light, especially if your child also has a fever, headache, or stiff neck
A yellow color in the whites of the eyes or in the skin, especially with pain in the abdomen and/or dark or tea-colored urine
Stiffness or pain in the neck, especially with fever or headache
- Severe sore throat, especially with trouble swallowing or speaking
Uncontrolled drooling because of painful swallowing
Difficulty breathing, especially with pale or bluish color of the lips or nails
Unusually rapid breathing
Severe or persistent cough, especially if it brings up bloody or discolored mucus
Vomiting for 12 hours or more
Vomiting of blood
Intense or unusual abdominal pain
Swollen or abnormally large abdomen
- Diarrhea that is streaked with blood or mucus
Pain in the middle of the back, especially with fever or with discomfort while urinating
Painful or unusually frequent urination
Urine that is discolored, bloody, cloudy, or has an unusual smell
Discharge from the penis
Vaginal discharge that is thick and white, brown or discolored, or smells bad
Pain, redness, or swelling of a joint that can’t be explained by exercise or injury
A cut or scrape that oozes pus or becomes hot, red, tender, or swollen
A sudden rash, or sudden crop of blotches or blisters, especially over a large area of the body
Special Signs and Symptoms – Birth to 1 Month Old
Fever (rectal temperature of 100.4°F should prompt a call to the doctor)
- Baby suddenly becomes “floppy”—loses muscle tone all over
- One or both eyes are pink, bloodshot, have a sticky white discharge, or eyelashes that stick together
- Diarrhea in newborns—more than six to eight watery stools per day (breast-fed newborns often have more loose stools than formula-fed babies; check with your doctor for guidance)
- Redness or tenderness around the navel area
- White patches in the mouth
- Nose blocked by mucus so baby can’t breathe while feeding
- Forceful vomiting
- Vomiting that lasts for 12 hours or more
- Vomiting with fever and/or diarrhea
- Baby stops feeding normally
- Crying for an abnormally long time

Special Signs and Symptoms – 1 Month to 1 Year

Fever (rectal temperature 100.4°F in infants younger than 3 months, 101°F in infants ages 3 to 6 months, and 104°F in a child 6 months or older should prompt a call to the doctor)
- Baby refuses to eat and misses several feedings
- Baby is unusually cranky and irritable or unusually sleepy
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As people age, they often experience varying kinds of aches and pains, from headaches to acid reflux.

Asthma
Asthma affects 3 percent to 7 percent of adults 60 and older, and is even more common in children.

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For 25 years, Bestcare has treated children of all ages. We’re both medical professionals and parents.

Diabetes
Dr. Carlson can teach you helpful tips and practical ways to control or prevent the disease.

General Illnesses
We test to diagnose sniffles, sore throat and coughs using our own lab facilities right on premises.

Heart Health
Heart disease is often avoidable. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated.

Obesity
Obesity is a medical problem that we can help you overcome. Dr. Carlson can help you with a customized plan.

Quit Smoking
We can help smokers quit with medications that work. Feel better right away and enjoy better health.

Sexual Health
We provide discrete treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV screening/treatment.

Wellness Exams
If you’re 65 or over, Medicare requires an Annual Wellness Visit for a customized health care plan.

Women’s Health
Mammograms, pregnancy testing, pap smears, and more to protect women’s health.
BestCare Services

Aches & Pains
As people age, they often experience varying kinds of aches and pains, from headaches to acid reflux.

Asthma
Asthma affects 3 percent to 7 percent of adults 60 and older, and is even more common in children.

Checkups
Medical checkups, annual physicals, school physicals. Wellness physicals. Well-woman exams.

Children’s Health
For 25 years, Bestcare has treated children of all ages. We’re both medical professionals and parents.

Diabetes
Dr. Carlson can teach you helpful tips and practical ways to control or prevent the disease.

General Illnesses
We test to diagnose sniffles, sore throat and coughs using our own lab facilities right on premises.

Heart Health
Heart disease is often avoidable. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated.

Obesity
Obesity is a medical problem that we can help you overcome. Dr. Carlson can help you with a customized plan.

Quit Smoking
We can help smokers quit with medications that work. Feel better right away and enjoy better health.

Sexual Health
We provide discrete treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV screening/treatment.

Wellness Exams
If you’re 65 or over, Medicare requires an Annual Wellness Visit for a customized health care plan.

Women’s Health
Mammograms, pregnancy testing, pap smears, and more to protect women’s health.