When to take your child or infant to the doctor

Your child should be seen as soon as possible if he or she:

• Does not respond to you, has trouble waking up, or is limp
• Has trouble breathing
• Has blue lips, tongue, or nails
• Starts to lean forward and drool
• Is an infant, and the soft spot on his or her head seems to be bulging or caving in
• Has a stiff neck
• Has a severe headache
• Has severe belly pain
• Has a rash or purple spots that look like bruises on the skin (that were not there before he or she got sick)
• Refuses to drink anything or seems too sick to drink enough
• Will not stop crying
• Is very cranky or irritable

Call or visit your child's doctor or nurse if your child:

• Has diarrhea that lasts more than two to three days or seems to be getting worse
• Has vomiting that goes on for more than one day
• Seems to be dehydrated (signs include urinating less than usual, not having tears when crying, being less alert and less active than usual)
• Has a specific symptom, such as a sore throat or ear pain
• Has pain when he or she urinates