When to take your child to the ER for vomiting and/or diarrhea

If you have a child or toddler vomiting with a fever or a child or toddler with diarrhea and a fever, you may not know the cause or whether or not to be concerned.

Both vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of food poisoning and the stomach flu, among other common ailments. So how do you know if your child’s pain is severe enough to require an emergency department visit? 

If your child has a low-grade fever and/or vomits once, call a doctor to be seen the next day. 

Fever and vomiting in toddlers and children

In a child or toddler, fever and vomiting in and of itself may not be cause for concern. However, symptoms such as a child or toddler high fever & vomiting may warrant a trip to the ER. Visit the pediatric ER if your child or toddler's vomiting & fever shows any of these additional symptoms. 

• The child is younger than 3 months old
• Repetitive vomiting
• Not urinating or wetting diapers
• Lethargic
• Inconsolable
• Vomiting toddler or child with fever higher than:
  • 100.4 degrees for children younger than 3 months old
  • 102.2 degrees for children older than 3 months old

Fever and diarrhea in toddler or child

Similarly to vomiting, diarrhea and fever in a toddler or child may be an outcome of common ailments. However, when the child or toddler diarrhea and fever is accompanied by these symptoms, you should seek emergency care.

• Blood in diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Sunken eyes
• Not urinating or wetting diapers
• Lethargic
• Inconsolable
• High fever
  • Higher than 100.4 degrees for children under 3 months old
  • Higher than 102.2 degrees for children over 3 months old

HCA HealthONE has five pediatric emergency departments in the Denver metro area, so you are certain to find an ER that is close to home and able to diagnose and treat your child’s vomiting or diarrhea. Our hospitals strive to beat the national average wait time, so you can get quick access to high-quality emergency medical care.