Common childhood illnesses: visit or wait

Fever

A fever on its own, in a child who is otherwise drinking, playing and alert between episodes, is often something to monitor for a day with fluids and rest. A fever in a baby under three months, a fever that stays above 39°C for more than a day, or a fever paired with a stiff neck, rash, repeated vomiting or unusual drowsiness generally warrants a same-day visit.

Cough and cold

Most coughs and colds in children run their course over a week to ten days and are usually manageable at home with fluids and rest. Fast or laboured breathing, blue lips, a cough that keeps a child from sleeping or feeding, or a cold that gets worse rather than better after five or six days is worth a visit.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Short episodes are common and usually manageable with small, frequent fluids. Signs of dehydration — a dry mouth, no tears when crying, noticeably fewer wet nappies, or unusual lethargy — along with blood in vomit or stool, are reasons to be seen the same day rather than wait.

Rashes

Many childhood rashes are mild and settle on their own. A rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it, one that spreads quickly, or one that comes with a fever and your child seeming unusually unwell, needs prompt attention.

Ear pain

Ear infections are common in young children and often improve within a couple of days with pain relief. Persistent pain beyond that, fluid draining from the ear, or pain paired with a high fever is worth a same-day check.

When it's genuinely hard to tell

Parents often know when something is "off" about their child even before they can name why — that instinct is worth trusting. A message describing exactly what you're seeing is usually enough to get a straight answer on whether today is a wait-and-watch day or a visit day.