How to Use These Guidelines

These guidelines will help you determine how sick your child is and whether you need to call your child’s doctor. They will also help you treat your child at home when it is safe to do so. Your doctor’s advice and your good judgment should always take priority over information in these guidelines.

1. Choose the Appropriate Guideline

Guidelines are organized under 15 categories and arranged alphabetically by body part. Select the category that most closely matches your child’s illness. Thus, if your child is coughing, select “Breathing or Chest Symptoms.” Choosing the appropriate symptom is important because it will lead you to the best information for your child’s illness or injury. Keep in mind that

• if your child has more than one symptom, always select the most serious symptom first (e.g., the symptom that could cause the most harm to your child)
• if you aren’t sure what may be the most serious symptom, select all that apply
• if your child has a fever as well as other symptoms (such as cough or diarrhea), select the other symptoms first

2. Read the Symptom Definition

After selecting a symptom, first read the “Symptom Definition” to be sure it's a good fit for your child’s symptom. If it isn’t, check the list of related symptoms under “See More Appropriate Topic” and select one of those.

3. Read the list of Parent Responses

Next, read through the list of Parent Responses, most of which begin with “Call ….” Responses in red will help you decide if your child needs emergency care. Be sure to read through the entire list from top to bottom—these will help you determine how sick your child is and what you need to do. (See Parent Responses to Illness and Injury [hyperlink] for definitions of each Parent Response.)

Symbols To Know
> means “more than” or “greater than”
< means “less than” or “smaller than”

4. Follow the Suggested Parent Response

If your child has even one of the “Call 911” or “Call Your Doctor Now” symptoms, stop reading and take the appropriate suggested action. (See Parent Responses to Illness and Injury [hyperlink] for definitions of each Parent Response.) If the recommended action is to “Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours” or “Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours,” refer to the Home Care Advice section to help you keep your child comfortable until you place the call.

5. Follow Home Care Advice

If your child has none of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms, or if your child’s symptoms can wait up to 24 hours or for a weekday doctor office visit, follow the Home Care Advice listed in the final section. Watch your child carefully for any worsening or new symptoms. If your child’s condition changes for the worse, call your doctor.

6. It’s Your Responsibility

Remember, you’re responsible for your child’s health and you’re in control of this process. If you think or feel your child needs to see the doctor, call your doctor for assistance.

Disclaimer: These guidelines have been carefully written and reviewed. The author disclaims any responsibility, however, for any harm or damage associated with the use of this information.