You love your child and you want to be sure they are healthy. But, sometimes it’s hard to know the difference between a cold and something more serious like the flu. That’s why it is important to know the signs of illness in children so that you can make a call on whether or not your child needs medical attention right away. Below are some common symptoms of illness in children so that you can know when it’s time to take them in for an appointment.

Your Child Has A Fever

When your child has a fever, it’s important to know that it can be a sign of many different infections. Fever is not dangerous in itself, but it can make your child feel sick and irritable.

In general, if your child has a fever above 100°F (37°C), they need to see their doctor right away — especially if they have other symptoms such as pain or redness around the eyes or mouth (signs of conjunctivitis).

Your Child Is Sick For Longer Than A Few Days

If your child is sick for longer than a few days, it’s time to visit the doctor, saysLou Hampers. But how long is that? The definition of “a few days” varies from person to person and can even change from day to day depending on how much sleep we’ve gotten or how stressed we are.

For example, if your child has been battling a cold for five days and then suddenly develops a fever on day six (fever = bad), then yes: It’s probably time for a checkup! On the other hand, if your kid has been sneezing nonstop since yesterday afternoon but feels fine otherwise–and isn’t showing any other signs of illness–then he might just need some rest before going back into school tomorrow morning (which would be awesome because now I have more time).

Your Child’s Symptoms Do Not Go Away Or Keep Coming Back

Children can have more than one virus at a time, so it’s important to rule out the common cold or flu, according toLou Hampers. The symptoms of these viruses can last for up to 10 days and include fever, runny nose, cough and body aches.

If your child has been sick for longer than 10 days with repeated illness episodes (such as vomiting), then it might be something else entirely–like an infection of some kind.

You’re Worried About Your Child’s Behavior

Your child’s behavior can be a red flag for something more serious. If your child is acting differently than normal, it’s time to visit the doctor.

If your child has a change in personality, this could be an indication that they are depressed or anxious. If your child is becoming irritable and moody, he may have some kind of mental illness such as depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Also pay attention if there is any change in appetite: if he eats less often than usual; doesn’t want his favorite foods anymore; eats too much at one sitting–these are all signs that something may be wrong with him physically or emotionally!