MONTREAL - Every winter typically sees a spike in Emergency Room waiting times, and that point has arrived at Montreal's hospitals.

With more people spending more time indoors, and children socializing with dozens of classmates and hundreds of other students, diseases spread easily.

In many cases fevers, coughs and colds send parents rushing to the hospital, and both the Montreal Children's Hospital and Ste. Justine's are dealing with more patients than they can easily handle.

"Right now we're seeing a lot of patients in the emergency department. Our sweet spot is about 180 patients a day. We're seeing upwards of 260 patients," said Dr. Harley Eisman.

However most of the children sitting in waiting rooms do not need to be there.

"We're not seeing flu or influenza," said Dr. Eisman. He said most of the children they are seeing have the common cold or a mild fever -- neither of which is an emergency.

He suggests that parents call Info-Sante at 811, or check with a reputable medical website such as the Montreal Children's Hospital before enduring an hours-long wait only to be told to give their child more liquids.

"Critically ill or injured children are not waiting," said Dr. Eisman, but children with fevers and no other symptoms will have to wait hours before seeing a doctor.

However some parents interviewed by CTV Montreal Friday evening reported that their hospital waits were quite acceptable.

Yanik Doucet brought his 18-month old son Oliver to the Montreal Children's Hospital after the tot had battled a fever for three days.

"After 72 hours of fever, we figured we should go see a doctor and get better advice," said dad Yanik Doucet.

They were happy to get treatment and leave after two hours.

Another parent, Chantal Laberge, said her son received care within 90 minutes after she brought him in to deal with his trouble breathing.

Medical authorities say such reasonably speedy care is only possible if parents refrain from bringing their child to the emergency for minor issues.

The message is also shared by other Montreal-area pediatric clinics.

"We don't someone with sniffles and a fever for the last two hours to be coming here," said Dr. Benjamin Burko, Medical Director of the Tiny Tots Clinic.

Before heading to the ER, check your child's symptoms against this checklist.