When to Contact the Hospital Immediately
Contact your attending physician or the hospital immediately if you experience:
- high fever
- difficulty breathing
- severe or worsening pain
- bleeding or vaginal bleeding
- severe abdominal pain or worsening pain
- signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge from a wound)
- adverse drug reaction
- severe sadness, anxiety, or significant mood changes that interfere with daily functioning
- any symptom for which you received specific instructions upon discharge
Contact your pediatrician immediately if your child experiences any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing: very rapid or labored breathing, “pulling in” under or between the ribs, pauses in breathing, or grunting.
- Change in skin color: pale, “ashy,” or dark skin; blue lips or tongue.
- Severe drowsiness or decreased responsiveness: does not respond as usual, is difficult to wake up, or appears “very ill.”
- Confusion or loss of consciousness, or a seizure.
- Severe, persistent, or worsening pain (e.g., in the head, chest, or abdomen).
- Repeated vomiting (especially after a blow to the head) or vomiting blood or green-colored vomit.
- Black or blood-tinged stool.
- Clear fluid or blood coming from the nose or ear after a blow to the head.
- Abnormal movement or weakness: sudden weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
- High fever that does not respond to fever-reducing medications (especially in an infant <3 months old with a temperature ≥38°C) or a fever accompanied by a rash that does not “blanch” when pressed.
- Signs of dehydration: very dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, no wet diapers for 12 hours.
- Severe difficulty feeding: drinks much less than usual or refuses to eat or drink.
- Signs of a worsening allergic reaction: severe itching, rash, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing or breathing.
- Any significant worsening of the child’s condition or if “they don’t seem well at all,” regardless of the initial problem.
Follow-up care after discharge is an important part of their care and contributes to the child’s safe recovery and well-being.
