Fever, spit-⁠up, milestones.

What matters, what can wait, when to go in.

Asha does not diagnose or prescribe. She explains the evidence, cites it, and tells you when to get care today.

Two in the morning, a hot child, a number on the thermometer. Or a newborn who spits up after every feed, or a toddler who is slow to talk. Asha explains what matters more than the number, which signs mean the emergency department tonight, and what normal looks like, with the sources shown.

Ask Asha: Fever of 103 in a toddler Which signs are urgent

Five questions, no accountBuilt by two physiciansCited on every answer

Asha in your pocket

Fever and infections

Child fever: what matters more than the number.

A fever is the body's response to infection, and the number on the thermometer says less than how a child looks and behaves. Most fevers in children come from viruses and pass on their own. Asha explains the signs that matter, the usual course of RSV, croup, ear infections and strep, and when to go in.

Fever of 103, no other symptomsMy 2-year-old has a fever of 103 and no other symptoms. How long does a fever usually last, what matters more than the number, and when do I call?Ask this RSV at home, breathing signsMy toddler has RSV and a wet cough. What does home care look like, and which breathing signs mean we go in now?Ask this A seizure with a feverMy child had a seizure during a fever. What do I do while it happens, and does every febrile seizure need the emergency department?Ask this Croup, ear infection or strepMy 4-year-old has a fever, a barking cough at night and a sore throat. Which signs of croup, ear infection or strep mean a visit, and what can be watched at home?Ask this

Newborn: the first weeks

Spit-up or reflux: what is normal in the first weeks, and what needs a same-day call.

Most newborns spit up, and most of it is harmless. Jaundice, fast breathing, hiccups, congestion and irregular stools are common in the first weeks, and a few signs mean a same-day call. Asha explains which is which, with the guideline shown.

Spit-up, vomiting or refluxMy 3-week-old spits up after every feed. How do I tell normal spit-up from vomiting or reflux, and what needs a same-day call?Ask this Newborn jaundice, when to worryMy newborn is five days old and looks yellow. What does jaundice mean at this age, and which changes mean a same-day check?Ask this Fast breathing and long sleepsMy newborn breathes fast, pauses, then sleeps for long stretches. What is normal newborn breathing and sleep, and what is a warning sign?Ask this Feeding, weight and diapers, week oneMy one-week-old lost weight after birth, feeds often and has not pooped today. How much should a newborn eat, and which feeding or stool changes need a call?Ask this

Development and milestones

Speech delay: when to watch, when to act, and how an evaluation works.

Children reach milestones across a range, and many late talkers catch up. Some patterns matter more: few words, no pointing, little response to a name, or losing skills once gained. Asha explains what is typical, what the evidence says about early evaluation, and how to get one.

Two words at 18 monthsMy 18-month-old says only two words. What is typical speech development, when is an evaluation recommended, and should hearing be tested first?Ask this Early signs of autism, toddlersMy 2-year-old rarely points, does not turn to her name, and avoids eye contact. What are the early signs of autism, and how does screening work?Ask this Not walking at 16 monthsMy 16-month-old is not walking yet. What is the usual range for walking, which milestones matter at two, and when does a late walker need a check?Ask this How an early intervention evaluation worksOur pediatrician suggested an early intervention evaluation for our toddler. How does it work, what does the evidence say about starting early, and what should I bring?Ask this

Open Asha and ask your own

Do not wait for the next visit

Go to the emergency department, or call 911, if

a baby under 3 months has any fever: call the clinician now, or go in the same day
a child is hard to wake, or unusually limp
breathing is fast, or the child is working hard to breathe
lips or face look blue or grey
a rash does not fade when pressed
a stiff neck with fever
a seizure
signs of dehydration: no wet diaper for many hours, no tears, sunken eyes
a newborn vomits forcefully, or the vomit is green
jaundice spreads to the belly or legs, or a baby is too sleepy to feed

These cannot wait for the morning. While help comes, stay with the child, keep them on their side during a seizure, and put nothing in their mouth.

911 call, danger to life or breathing 988 call or text, mental-health crisis Poison Help 1-800-222-1222 call, if a child swallowed something

For the people around them

For the grandparent or partner on the night shift

Someone else is often the one awake at 3 a.m. with the thermometer. These questions are for the person watching the child while the parents sleep.

On the night shift with a feverI am watching my grandchild tonight while her parents sleep, and she has a fever. What should I check through the night, and what would make me wake them or call?Ask this Newborn rash and cord stumpOur newborn has a red rash on the face and the cord stump looks damp. Which newborn rashes are normal, and what are the signs of a cord infection?Ask this

A thin teal key standing upright in a pool of translucent ivory liquid, its ring above the surface and its four pins to the right.

Know what is normal. Know what is urgent.

Tell Asha what is happening, in your own words. She answers from the evidence, shows where it comes from, and says plainly when the next step is a clinician today.

Ask Asha now

How Asha answers

The evidence, its sources, and the line she will not cross.

Cited

Every answer shows its sources.

For this page Asha reads pediatric guidelines, recent pediatric clinical literature and PubMed-indexed abstracts, and shows the source on each answer.

Plain

She says when it is serious.

Asha does not diagnose or prescribe. She explains the evidence, cites it, and tells you when to get care today. When a symptom cannot wait, she says so first, and she gives the number to call.

Private

Five questions, no account.

Ask without signing up. Your conversations are private and are never sold. Clinicians: the questions are written for families; each answer cites the guideline or abstract so the chain can be checked.

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Patient organizations and clinics. Asha can be listed as a resource for your community, and the founders speak to families. Write to us through Support.

About Asha. Asha is built by DNAi Systems, founded by two physicians. Answers are grounded in a curated medical knowledge base and checked against safety rules before they reach you. Five questions, no account. Then the first month free with a card. Your conversations are private and are never sold. Privacy, safety, pricing.

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If you are in crisis, call or text 988. In immediate danger, call 911.