My daughter's elbow and ankle is swollen. i don't know why... it doesn't look like she fell. it's red and swollen. she is 3. should i take her to the er?

Worth doc visit: I don't know if an ER would be the best site for a 3 yo with these features but she should be seen by a doctor within 24 hrs. Red & swollen suggests trauma, infection (less if 2 sites) or a reaction to something. It could be something simple or the first evidence of idiopathic arthritis of childhood or a joint infection. If you can get her in with her regular doc today go there. Er if not.

Evaluation needed: This appears to be an inflammatory process involving those joints. An autoimmune arthritis or an infectious process would be concerns. I do recommend prompt evaluation which can be obtained in the hospital emergency room. Referral or consultation with a rheumatologist may then be needed.