HomeWhen to come in
Urgent care or the ER tonight?
It is 9 PM and something is wrong. Pick what you are seeing and we will show you where it fits. If you are scared, call 911. That is always the right call.
Call 911 now if your child:
- Is not breathing, or is turning blue or gray
- Will not wake up or does not respond to you
- Has a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes
- Has bleeding that will not stop with pressure
- Has swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
- Was hurt in a serious fall or car crash
Symptom guide
What are you seeing?
Choose a symptom. Green means we can help tonight. Red means go to the ER or call 911.
Fever
Come see us
- A fever in a child 3 months or older who is drinking and alert
- A fever with ear pain, sore throat or a cough
- A fever that has lasted more than 3 days
Go to the ER
- Any fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months
- A fever with a stiff neck, severe headache or confusion
- A rash of tiny purple or red spots that do not fade when pressed
Cough and breathing
Come see us
- A cough or cold with a mild fever
- A barky croup cough that eases in cool night air
- Wheezing that improves with their usual inhaler
Go to the ER
- Ribs pulling in with each breath, or fast, hard breathing
- Blue or gray lips, or too out of breath to talk or cry
- Choking that does not clear
Vomiting and diarrhea
Come see us
- A stomach bug for less than a day in a child who keeps sips down
- Mild belly pain that comes and goes
- Fewer wet diapers than usual, but some in the last 8 hours
Go to the ER
- No pee or wet diaper for 8 hours, very dry mouth, no tears
- Green or bloody vomit
- Severe belly pain, especially low on the right side
Falls and injuries
Come see us
- Sprains, twisted ankles and sore wrists
- A possible broken finger, toe or arm with no bone showing
- A bump on the head with normal behavior and no passing out
Go to the ER
- A bone pushing through the skin, or a limb bent the wrong way
- A head injury with passing out, repeated vomiting or confusion
- Neck or back pain after a big fall
Cuts and burns
Come see us
- A cut that gapes open and may need stitches or skin glue
- A small burn, smaller than your child's palm
- Splinters, and pet bites that broke the skin
Go to the ER
- Bleeding that will not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
- Large burns, or burns on the face, hands or groin
- A deep cut with numbness past the wound
Rashes and allergic reactions
Come see us
- Hives with normal breathing
- Bug bites, poison ivy and eczema flare-ups
- Pink eye or a sticky, crusty eye
Go to the ER
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
- Hives with trouble breathing or repeated vomiting
- A rash that looks like bruises and does not fade when pressed
This guide is general information for parents, not medical advice for your child. Trust your gut. When in doubt, call 911 or our nurse line.
More help
Babies under 3 months
We see children 3 months to 18 years. A baby under 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F or higher needs a children's emergency room tonight.
Still not sure?
Our nurse line answers during open hours at (615) 555-0129. Your pediatrician's after-hours line is another good first call.
If we send you to the ER
We call ahead to the children's hospital, send our notes and do not charge for the visit.
Sounds like a Little Lanterns night?
Open tonight until 11 PM. Check in for a spot and wait at home.