Common childhood illnesses
A child’s age, breathing, alertness and ability to drink matter more than a school schedule. Care guidance should fit the child and the illness.
What we can discuss
- Age and symptom timeline
- Breathing and alertness
- Drinking and recent urine
- Recovery and safe return to school
A useful care conversation
Tell the clinician your child’s age, symptoms, temperature, fluid intake, recent urine and medical history. The conversation can help clarify home care, when an examination is needed and an appropriate school or caregiver note. Return to school follows recovery and school policy.
When to seek more care
- A baby younger than three months with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs immediate medical assessment.
- Call 911 for severe breathing difficulty or a child who is very hard to wake. Do not wait for a photo or a reply.
- Get prompt care if fluids will not stay down or urine falls markedly.
General educational information, not a diagnosis or a complete symptom checker. The right care depends on your circumstances.
For an emergency, call 911. Do not wait for a Tap reply or send a photo first.
About this information
Adapted from Tap’s published care-topic library. Original publication: 2025-01-01. Prepared for this guide: 2026-09-07. Preparation is not a clinical-review certification.
The clinician decides whether advice, testing, an examination or a prescription is appropriate. A listed topic does not guarantee remote treatment or a refill. Tap does not prescribe controlled substances.