It's a busy time in the emergency rooms at the St Justine and Montreal Children's hospitals, as worried parents bring in kids with the flu or gastroenteritis.
But those visits are causing a strain on emergency rooms, according to hospital officials, and in some cases are far from necessary - and can even spread viruses to other patients.
Director of pediatric emergency medicine at the Montreal Children's Hospital Dr. Harley Iseman says many symptoms that prompt parents to take children to emergency are quite normal.
"The first thing that parents and families have to understand is that fever is not dangerous. Fever is just the body's reaction, the body's way of telling us that the body is fighting an infection. It's a normal response."
There are certain cases when a child suffering from flu might need emergency treatment, according to Iseman.
"If your child is lethargic, is not behaving properly, is not eating, is not drinking, is just lying on the couch or in bed and is just so ill, then certainly that's a child who should probably seek medical attention earlier."
Breathing trouble, an infant (under three months old) with a fever of 38 degrees Celsius, or vomiting or diarrhea are other situations that might justify an emergency room visit.
But short of those symptoms, staying at home can be the best treatment, explains Iseman.
"These are normal, benign self-limiting illnesses that are well-cured at home with Grandma's remedy, chicken soup and apple juice."
Non-urgent visits to the emergency room also mean parents and kids might have to wait a long time to be seen, as patients with severe conditions take priority, points out Iseman.
"We're here first and foremost to treat those who are in critical need, who have peril of life and limb; severe illnesses. Certainly this added extra volume just slows the process down."
Iseman also recommends visiting family doctor clinics or CLSCs, or calling Quebec's 811 health line, who can also advise if an emergency room visit is needed.