Flu Symptoms in Toddlers & Young Children: When to See a Doctor

When to Seek Medical Care

The most difficult question for parents and caregivers is when to call the doctor with concern about flu symptoms. Many people fear the child may have pneumonia. Here are some guidelines about when to call the doctor:

• Fever continues after 3 days.
  
  
• Nasal discharge lasts more than 10 days.
  
  
• Nasal discharge becomes thick and yellow.
  
  
• Discharge is coming from the eyes.

When to go to the hospital

• The child has difficulty breathing and does not improve even after nasal suctioning and cleaning.
  
  
• The child appears sicker than any previous episode of illness. The child may not be responding normally. For example, the child does not cry when expected or make good eye contact with the mother or the child is listless or lethargic.
  
  
• The child is not drinking fluids well or is showing signs of dehydration. Common signs of dehydration include absence of tears with crying, decrease in amount of urine (dry diapers), dry mucous membranes (lips, tongue, eyes), and doughlike skin that fails to snap back flat when pinched.
  
  
• A fever that does not get better with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, the number one reason that the temperature fails to come down after these medications is an inadequate dose. A proper dose is based on the child's weight, not age. Be guided by your doctor's instructions or the package label.
  
  
• A seizure occurs.