For parents
When your child is sick
Call us first for most things. This page tells you what cannot wait, what we can see today, and what you can watch at home.
| If your child has | What to do |
|---|---|
| Trouble breathing, blue or grey lips, a seizure, or will not wake up | Call 911 now. Do not drive around looking for an open office. |
| A fever of 100.4°F or higher and the baby is under 2 months old | Go to the emergency room. Fever in a newborn is always urgent, even if the baby looks well. |
| A head injury with vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness | Go to the emergency room. |
| Swallowed a pill, cleaner, battery, or anything else | Call Poison Control, 1-800-222-1222. Free, 24 hours, and they will tell you if it needs the ER. |
| Fever, ear pain, sore throat, cough, rash, pink eye, vomiting or diarrhea | Call us. These are the visits we keep time open for every day. |
| Not drinking, no wet diaper for 8 hours, no tears when crying | Call us today. Young children get dehydrated quickly. |
| A cold, mild cough, or low fever and your child is drinking and playing | Usually fine to watch at home. Call if it lasts more than 3 days, gets worse, or you are worried. |
| Something is wrong but you cannot name it | Call us. Parents are usually right. We would rather look and find nothing. |
This page is general guidance for Grace Pediatrics families, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call the office or 911.
When we are open
Call (630) 784-8600. Tell the front desk what is wrong and how long it has been going on. If you call at least an hour before closing, we see your child that day. Later than that, we will get you in the next day. Walk-ins are welcome. Calling first lets us have a room ready and keeps your wait short. Call at least one hour before closing: Monday–Thursday by 4 PM · Friday by 3 PM · Saturday by 12 PM. Sunday closed.
We speak English, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi and Telugu, so describe the symptoms in whichever language is easiest.
When we are closed
Grace Pediatrics does not have an after-hours phone line. If your child needs care before we reopen, go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care. For anything life-threatening, call 911.
Call us when we open and tell us what happened. We will follow up, request the records from that visit, and see your child if they need a recheck.
| Monday | 11 AM – 5 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM – 5 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM – 5 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM – 5 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM – 4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Common questions
What parents ask us at 10pm
What temperature is actually a fever?
100.4°F (38°C) or higher, taken rectally, is a fever. How your child acts matters as much as the number: a child with 102°F who is drinking and playing is usually less worrying than a child with 100.6°F who is limp and will not drink. In a baby under 2 months, any fever of 100.4°F or higher needs to be seen immediately.
How long can a fever last before I should worry?
Call us if a fever lasts more than three days, goes away and comes back, or comes with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade when you press it, trouble breathing, or a child you cannot wake up.
Does my child need antibiotics?
Most coughs, colds and sore throats are viruses, and antibiotics do nothing for a virus. We test for strep when it is warranted and prescribe antibiotics when they will help. Taking them when they are not needed makes them work less well the day your child really needs them.
Can my child go to school or daycare?
Most schools ask that a child be fever-free for 24 hours without medicine, and that vomiting and diarrhea have stopped for 24 hours. If you need a note for school or work, ask us at the visit.
Should I bring my child in or wait it out?
Call and ask. The front desk can describe the symptoms to the doctor, and we will tell you honestly whether to come in, watch at home, or go straight to the emergency room.