Children get sick. A lot. The average young child catches six to eight colds a year, and most resolve on their own with rest and fluids. But that frequency is exactly what makes it so hard to know when something is different.
This episode breaks down a simple framework: how your child is acting matters more than the number on the thermometer. A child with a 102° fever who is still drinking, playing, and making eye contact is usually okay to monitor at home. A child with a "lower" fever who is lethargic, won't drink, or is struggling to breathe needs to be seen.
The team also covers the symptoms that should never wait — difficulty breathing, a stiff neck with fever, a rash that doesn't fade when pressed, dehydration, and any change in alertness — and exactly what to say when you call.
Connecticut Children's is the region's only health system dedicated exclusively to kids, which means every clinician, every space, and every protocol is built for them. 100% kids.