Acute symptoms · Berlin
Sick child
Sick child is an acute medical condition that RAB Arztbesuche treats with a licensed physician on a home visit anywhere in Berlin — daily from 6 am to midnight, usually within 60 to 90 minutes.
When a child suddenly falls ill at night or on a weekend, the threshold to the emergency room often feels high — while the wish for a calm medical assessment is strong. Our specialist physicians come to your home daily from 6 am to midnight, examine in a child-friendly way and decide the next steps together with you.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
Sick child in Berlin — the calm house call instead of the waiting room
Children fall ill frequently in their first years — twelve infections in the first nursery year are considered normal. Yet every episode raises the same questions: how high is the fever, is the child drinking, is the breathing calm, do we need medical help right now or can it wait until tomorrow? In exactly these moments — late on Sunday evening, in the night, on a long weekend — we come to your home and take the time a hospital waiting room cannot offer.
We treat children from infancy through to the teenage years. For newborns under four weeks we recommend direct paediatric hospital review — the diagnostic and observation environment is safer there. In all other age groups the specialist house call is often the calmer, more child-friendly and lower-exposure option.
Common reasons for a paediatric house call
The most frequent patterns include febrile respiratory infections (common cold, influenza, RSV, COVID-19), acute otitis media, croup with a barking cough in winter, gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhoea, classic childhood illnesses such as hand-foot-mouth disease, roseola or scarlet fever, and conjunctivitis. In every case three questions matter: how severely is the child affected, are there red flags for hospital care, and which therapy is helpful — and which is not.
What the specialist does for a sick child
We examine in a child-friendly way — in a comfortable position, with a toy, with patience. Otoscopy for the eardrums, throat inspection, lung auscultation, abdominal palpation, lymph nodes, skin findings. We measure temperature, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate. Where indicated we use rapid tests for streptococcus (scarlet fever, exudative tonsillitis), influenza or RSV. For croup we can give nebulised or oral decongestants; for otitis media we decide on analgesia and antibiotics according to guidelines; for gastroenteritis with dehydration risk we add an electrolyte infusion if needed.
How the house call works
On first contact we ask about age, symptoms, course of fever, drinking, breathing pattern, comorbidities and vaccination status. If anything suggests an acutely threatening course we direct you straight to a suitable children's hospital (Charité, Vivantes Friedrichshain, DRK-Klinikum Westend, Helios Buch). Otherwise we dispatch the next available specialist.
On site we examine calmly, discuss our assessment with you and explain in plain language when to call us again or seek emergency care. We issue prescriptions, a nursery/school certificate and, if needed, a sick-leave certificate for the parents.
Billing and insurance
We bill according to the GOÄ via our Privatärztliche Verrechnungsstelle. German private health insurance and Beihilfe schemes typically reimburse the positions in full. For privately insured children the reimbursement procedure is identical to that for adults.
We issue an English invoice for international families on request. We remain reachable by phone for billing questions after the visit.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Case profiles
Typical scenarios
Toddler with high fever at night
A two-year-old in Prenzlauer Berg has had fever above 39 °C since the evening. The parents are unsure whether the ER is needed. We examine on site and reassure or refer — depending on findings.
Croup attack with barking cough
Typical in the cold season, often at night. We come into the child's room, give decongestant medication if needed and outline a clear plan for the next hours.
Otitis media on a weekend
A nursery-age child in Pankow has had severe ear pain since Saturday. We check with otoscopy and decide together on analgesia and antibiotic therapy.
Gastroenteritis with poor drinking
A toddler in Zehlendorf has been vomiting since the morning, nappies dry. We assess hydration and place an IV if necessary.
Frequently asked questions
From what age do you treat children?
We treat children from infants to teenagers. For newborns under four weeks we generally recommend direct paediatric hospital review.
My child had a febrile seizure — will you come?
Yes, and please call immediately. Even if the seizure has ended, the child should be examined medically. If a seizure lasts longer than three minutes or recurs, dial 112 right away.
Can you issue a nursery certificate?
Yes. We can issue a certificate of illness; depending on the nursery's policy this serves as a valid absence note. A sick-leave certificate for the parents caring for the sick child is also possible.
Which rapid tests do you use in children?
Depending on the picture: streptococcus (tonsillitis, scarlet fever), influenza, RSV or COVID-19. We use them sparingly and selectively.
Book now or call
Get in touch — we will arrange a doctor for your house call regarding Sick child.