Children's Health

Do you have a severe headache with a stiff neck?

Do you have mental changes, such as confusion, increased fussiness, or decreased alertness (lethargy)?

Do you have shaking chills?

Do you have severe eye sensitivity to light (photophobia)?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Are you breathing fast, wheezing, or having other trouble breathing?

Do you have a sore throat with a hoarse or muffled voice, or a feeling of swelling in your throat?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have new, tiny purple or red spots (petechiae)?

Do you have many new bruises (purpura) but you have not had an injury?

Do you have a fever and a skin infection (cellulitis)?

Do you have a fever and a rash that looks like a sunburn?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have new swelling in or around a joint?

Do you have severe pain in or around a joint?

Do you have sudden redness or warmth in or around a joint?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have a fever of or higher?

Do you think you have a high fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had an operation or a medical procedure within the past 2 weeks?

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have a medical condition or take a medicine that impairs your immune system?

Do you still have a fever of to after 12 hours of home treatment?

Do you think you still have a moderate fever after 12 hours of home treatment, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Do you have an ongoing fever of to after 24 hours of home treatment?

Are you older than 60 with an ongoing fever over after 24 hours of home treatment?

Have you had an ongoing fever of to after 48 hours of home treatment?

Have you had an ongoing fever of to after 72 hours of home treatment?

Do you think you have had a mild ongoing fever for more than 3 days but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Have you been sweating more than usual or having night sweats for longer than 1 week?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had more than 1 fever without an obvious cause in the past 3 weeks?

Have you had a recurrent or ongoing fever after traveling outside your own country in the past 6 weeks?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have symptoms of moderate dehydration and you are unable to drink fluids?

Have you had symptoms of mild dehydration for 12 hours or longer, but you are able to drink enough fluids?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you think your fever may be caused by a medicine?Note: If your answer is "Yes ":Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to determine if you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary.If you are taking a nonprescription medicine, stop taking the medicine. Call your doctor if you feel you need to continue taking the medicine.

Did a fever begin within 3 weeks of receiving an immunization? Note: Some immunizations may cause a fever. If your doctor has given you instructions on how to treat your fever after an immunization, follow those instructions.If your fever continues after home treatment, call your doctor.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.