When to Rush to the ER: Emergency Warning Signs Parents Shouldn't Wait On

Most parents develop good instincts over time about which symptoms can wait until morning and which need immediate attention.

In infants, watch for: difficulty breathing, a fever above 100.4°F (38°C) in a baby under 3 months, persistent vomiting, unusual drowsiness, or a rash that doesn't fade when pressed. In older children, add: a high fever that doesn't respond to medication, severe abdominal pain, a head injury with vomiting or confusion, or signs of dehydration.

None of this is meant to cause alarm at every sniffle — but when in doubt, a call to your paediatrician or a visit to our 24×7 emergency department costs very little compared to waiting out a genuine emergency.

Our emergency department and ICU are staffed around the clock specifically for moments like these.