Fever is one of the most common reasons parents seek emergency pediatric care. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defines clinically significant fever in children as a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, while its 2021 clinical practice guidelines states that infants under 60 days old with any fever at all warrant immediate evaluation.

For older children, a fever above 104°F, or any fever accompanied by new or worsening symptoms like difficulty breathing, a stiff neck, unusual lethargy, or a rash also warrants immediate evaluation.

Go to the ER immediately if your child:

• Is under 3 months old with any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Is any age and has a fever above 104°F (40°C)
• Has a fever with a stiff neck, severe headache, or sensitivity to light 
• Has a fever with a purple or red spotted rash that doesn't fade when pressed
• Is extremely difficult to wake up, or is limp and unresponsive
• Has a fever with severe difficulty breathing

How Sollis can help:

Whether there's a confirmed fever or your child simply feels hot to the touch, Sollis can evaluate them in person or virtually and determine the right next step without the ER wait.*

Respiratory distress is one of the most common pediatric emergencies—and timing matters enormously. Research published in Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America identifies acute respiratory distress as one of the top reasons children are brought to emergency departments, accounting for roughly 10% of all pediatric ED visits and 20% of pediatric hospital admissions. 

Children are especially vulnerable to difficulty breathing because their airways are smaller, their respiratory reserves are lower, and their oxygen demand per body weight is higher than adults. What begins as mild labored breathing can escalate quickly, and children may not always be able to communicate how much distress they're in. 

Watch for these warning signs:

• Rapid or labored breathing
• Flaring nostrils
• A wheezing or barky cough (often a sign of croup)
• Bluish or gray color around the lips, fingertips, or nail beds
• Grunting or audible sounds with each breath

How Sollis can help:

Sollis providers can perform rapid on-site assessment and administer medications to treat common respiratory conditions — including bronchodilators for asthma and croup — without the delays of a traditional emergency room.

Dehydration in children can progress from mild to dangerous faster than most parents expect. Infants and toddlers are at particular risk: their bodies are composed of up to 70–80% water by weight, compared to roughly 60% in older children, and fluid losses from vomiting or diarrhea can tip the balance quickly. (StatPearls / NCBI, 2024)

Peer-reviewed research identifies the following as among the most clinically reliable indicators of dehydration in children: (PMC: Performance of Clinical Signs in the Diagnosis of Dehydration, 2015)

• Fewer wet diapers than usual, or little to no urination
• No tears when crying
• Dry mouth and lips
• Sunken eyes or, in infants, a sunken fontanelle
• Prolonged skin turgor (skin slow to snap back when gently pinched)
• Lethargy or unusual irritability

How Sollis can help:

Sollis can assess your child's hydration status on the spot, run labs to understand the underlying cause, and administer IV fluids if clinically indicated — avoiding the wait times that can mean the difference between mild and severe dehydration.