My Child Has a Fever and Cough: When Is It More Than Just a Cold?

It's one of the hardest decisions parents make when a child gets sick:

Do we wait another night—or do we get them checked?

Maybe everyone at daycare is sick.

Maybe an older sibling just had a cold.

Maybe your child is coughing but still playing.

And it's easy to tell yourself:

“It's probably just a virus. Let's see how they are tomorrow.”

Sometimes that's reasonable. But sometimes a child needs to be evaluated sooner.

Fever and cough don't point to just one illness

Flu, RSV, COVID-19, rhinovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus and other respiratory infections can produce overlapping symptoms.

A child may experience:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose or congestion
• Sore throat
• Fatigue or unusual sleepiness
• Poor appetite
• Body aches
• Irritability

That's why diagnosing a respiratory illness solely from symptoms can be difficult.

Rapid PCR testing can help provide answers

When appropriate based on your child's symptoms and examination, Memorial Heights Emergency Center can perform BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE multiplex PCR testing.

Instead of testing for only one pathogen at a time, the expanded SPOTFIRE Respiratory/Sore Throat Panel can test for up to 15 targets, with results available in approximately 15 minutes.

That information can help your child's physician develop a fuller picture of what may be causing the illness.

For a closer look at the platform itself, read our BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® testing overview — the technology authority page behind these answers.

Worried About the Cost? Don't Let That Keep You From Getting Care.

If you're sick or concerned about your symptoms, don't let an expensive copay keep you from seeking the care you need.

At Memorial Heights Emergency Center, we're going to take care of you regardless. Under our patient-friendly billing policy, we do not collect a copay at the time of your visit. We'll work with your insurance company on your claim and help navigate the billing process with the goal of keeping your financial responsibility as manageable as possible.

Your health comes first. Come in, let us take care of you, and let's focus on getting you better.

Insurance benefits, coverage and patient financial responsibility vary by health plan and services provided. Memorial Heights Emergency Center is an out-of-network freestanding emergency medical care facility. Please see our Insurance Information page for complete billing disclosures.

But the most important part is the medical evaluation

Parents aren't simply bringing their child to MHEHC for a PCR test.

They're bringing their child to an emergency center.

That distinction matters.

A physician can assess your child's breathing, hydration, vital signs, appearance and overall condition and determine whether additional diagnostic testing or treatment is necessary.

When should a sick child be evaluated urgently?

Seek emergency medical attention for concerning symptoms such as difficulty breathing, bluish or gray coloration, severe lethargy or difficulty waking, dehydration, seizure, confusion or a child who appears seriously ill.

Any fever in a baby younger than 3 months warrants prompt medical evaluation.

Parents also know their children. If something seems significantly different from an ordinary cold or you're concerned about how your child looks, breathes or behaves, seeking medical evaluation is appropriate.

When it's your child, peace of mind matters.

Sometimes you'll leave knowing it's an illness that can be managed at home.

Sometimes testing identifies a specific pathogen.

And sometimes an examination uncovers a reason your child needs additional treatment.

The important thing is that you don't have to make that decision based solely on a hunch.

Memorial Heights Emergency Center is open 24/7 at 4000 Washington Avenue in Houston.

Don't Guess. Get Answers.

Sick? Don't guess. Get answers. Advanced PCR testing. Results in about 15 minutes. Emergency physicians. 24/7.

Check In Online — no appointment needed. Walk in any time.