How to know when to take a child to the emergency room

Figure out whether you're overreacting or experiencing a genuine medical emergency with these guidelines.

Step 1
Call your doctor for advice if your child has neck stiffness or a rash with a fever. These could be signs of meningitis, a potentially life-threatening infection.

Step 2
Call 911 if your child gets a head injury that’s accompanied by unconsciousness, vomiting, unresponsiveness, confusion, or weakness in the limbs.

Step 3
A stomach ache is usually no cause for alarm. But if their stomach is swollen and tender to the touch, there’s blood in their stool, and they’re vomiting, visit the E.R.: They may have an intestinal blockage. If the pain is severe and concentrated on the lower right side of their abdomen, it could be appendicitis.

If you suspect appendicitis, don’t give them aspirin, which can make the condition worse.

Step 4
Call your doctor if your child has been vomiting longer than 12 hours, their vomit is bloody, or if it’s accompanied by a swollen abdomen, severe abdominal pain, lethargy, irritability, infrequent urination, or the inability to keep liquids down. You doctor can advise you if it’s an emergency situation.

Step 5
Handle minor burns at home. Call 911 if it’s a chemical burn; a major burn to the hands, face, or genitals; looks like an open sore; or is larger than your child’s palm.

Step 6
If your child shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the upper body or face that causes the throat to swell, restricting breathing, call for an ambulance immediately.

Fact: More than 24,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for head and neck injuries associated with shopping carts in 2005.