In the ER, hospital staff immediately check on your child's temperature, respiratory rate and oxygen levels. These "vital" signs and the overall appearance of the child are the first clues to how ill he really is. For example, a child who is having difficulty breathing because of a severe asthma attack will be breathing quickly and may even have a low oxygen level. Your child's age also affects how we interpret those vital signs.

The nurse and doctor will also want to know if your child is up to date on all immunizations. It is very helpful if you bring your immunization card with you. Be honest if you haven't made it back to the office for the last set of shots because this may affect what illnesses your child is susceptible to.

If you've been giving your child any medications, let the doctor know how much and how often you've been giving them. Also, be sure to mention other treatments such as placing poultices on a rash or trying his sister's inhalers to see if they would help. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and ibuprofen (such as Advil) will lower a child's temperature, so a recent dose may make a child seem free of a fever – and consequently happier – despite high temperatures all day.