When do you take your kid to the er?

[mommy06and09]

DS is 5 and has a temp of almost 103. He has a BAD cough and I am wondering when I need to be concerned vs when to just give meds. So far he has had tylenol and it seems to be helping the way he is acting (he has more energy now that he has taken it and drank some apple juice... BUT when is a temperature too high?

[jen113000]

I wouldn't go to the er with that temp unless I gave medicine and the fever would not come down. How long has he been sick? My son just had the bad cough and 102.5 fever. I had him rest a lot and gave medicine before bed only. It lasted 2 1/2 days then he was pretty much himself again.

[mommy06and09]

He has been coughing for well over a week (I have been coughing up phlem for about two to three weeks) He just got the fever today. Thankfully the meds are helping with this. I usually don't freak out over temps because I know they are the body's way of clearing out and killing off any bad germs but with it almost 103 (it was 102.8) I couldn't remember if I should take him in if it hit 103 or 104.

[jen113000]

I'm not one to worry until 104 or higher. I've heard coughs can last for weeks... he is complaining of any pain? Sore throat ear pain etc? Maybe a trip to his pedi is in order if the fever continues... my sons fever went away on its own thankfully. I only medicated before bed time so he could sleep.

[stacie0375]

 My  childrens pediatrician said that a fever of 104 or higher is ER worthy.

[mommy06and09]

Thanks ladies! I really appreciate the advice!

[kmrtigger]

I wouldn't go to the ER for those symptoms. But I would be calling your child's doctor. Maybe get in to see them.But as another mom said the cough can last a while. And the fever isn't extremely high to go to the ER. I hope your child feels better soon.

Mine ONLY go to the ER when they are in need of stitches or having very bad chest pains. Or the one time when my youngest was a newborn and not keeping any formula down. He ended up in a children's hospital for surgery.I always call their doctor and ask him to see them ASAP. I have traveled an hour for him to see them when I needed.

Oldest has been twice for stitches and once when he was just learning to walk and busted his mouth. We though he put his tooth through the upper lip. He is 10 yrs old.

Middle son has been once b/c he was having very bad chest pains. Turned out to be a very bad cold in his chest.He is 9 yrs old.

And the youngest only once and that was when he was a newborn. He is 8yrs old.

[janitablue]

Call you pediatrician to confirm when you should carry your child to ER. I would call the pediatrician with a high temp.

[caitslaton]

Above 103 i would go...high fever can cause brain damage if its not taken care of...and if ur babys fever doesnt break with the meds i would go.

[gingerwife]

I don't get concerend until their temps reach 104 and above and won't go down with "medicane".  We also don't use medicane unless it's a last resort. Oftentimes we find that if we just give our kids some old fashioned rest and care than their sickness goes away in a day or so.

[jen113000]

How is he feeling today? Is the fever gone?