When to call your doctor

Seek medical care if a child of any age shows any of the following:

• Fussiness or unusual behavior that doesn't improve even after taking medicine to bring down the fever.
• Symptoms of water loss, called dehydration. These include no wet diapers over 8 to 10 hours, crying without tears, a dry mouth or refusing to drink fluids.
• Stiff neck or a headache.
• Belly pain.
• Trouble breathing.
• Rash.
• Joint pain or swelling.
• Fever that lasts more than five days.

Seek medical care for an adult with a fever and any of the following:

• Trouble breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Bad headache or stiff neck.
• Being confused.
• Belly pain.
• Repeated vomiting.
• Symptoms of water loss, called dehydration. These include having a dry mouth, making less or dark urine, or not drinking fluids.
• Skin rashes.
• Trouble swallowing fluids.
• Pain with passing urine or pain in the back.