Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child have diarrhea and a fever?
See significance of fever if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Note: If you need information on how to take a temperature, see the topic Body Temperature.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your baby younger than 3 months of age have a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher?
Yes Do you think your baby younger than 3 months of age has a fever but you are unable to measure your child's temperature?
Yes Does your child have a rectal temperature of 105°F (41°C) or higher?
Yes Do you think your child has a high fever but you are unable to measure his or her temperature?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your child have a rectal temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher?
Yes Has your child had a rectal temperature of 102°F (39°C) to 104°F (40°C) for longer than 12 hours?
Yes Do you think your child has a moderate fever but you are unable to measure his or her temperature?
Yes Does your child have a recurrent or ongoing fever without an obvious cause after traveling outside your own country in the last 6 weeks?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your child had a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) to 102°F (39°C) for longer than 24 hours?
Yes Do you think your child has a mild fever for longer than 24 hours, but you are unable to measure his or her 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.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: April 28, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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