If You Spot These Symptoms, Visit Your Child's Doctor
“Mom, I don’t feel good.” These words are enough to
strike worry into the heart of any parent. Whether it’s a sore throat,
stomachache or a skin rash, it’s hard not to worry when it comes to the health
of your child. You want to do whatever you can to help them feel better ASAP.
Inevitably, the next thing that comes to mind, then,
is should you make an appointment with your child’s doctor? "My recommendation for parents is simple," says Nicholas Bower, DO, regional medical director of ChoiceOne Urgent Care, a partner of Gwinnett Medical Center. "If you are ever concerned your child may need the expertise of a qualified medical provider, don't hesitate to bring them in to be seen."
In these situations, it’s difficult to know if your child just needs a little TLC, or if it’s time
to seek the help of a professional. This is especially true because there is such a wide range of symptoms and
conditions that vary from child-to-child and age-to-age. "That's why one of our core beliefs at ChoiceOne Urgent Care is that peace of mind is priceless," notes Dr. Bower. "When it comes to sick babies or children, a mantra of better safe than sorry is a good rule to live by."
For babies: When you should call
See a healthcare provider if your baby has:
- A
fever (armpit
temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, forehead (temporal artery)
temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher)
- Trouble
feeding or sucking or no interest in feeding
- Sleeping
too much or too little or having trouble getting your baby to wake up
- Not
moving much, or crying that is different than usual
- Vomiting
or diarrhea for more than a few hours
- Changes
in the baby's soft spot on the top of the head
- Trouble
breathing
- Rash
on the skin
- Skin
that looks gray or blue or that is very pale
If your baby has any of the above warning signs or if
you feel something isn't right, call his or her healthcare provider.
For
children: When you should call
For infants and children older than 3 months, fever
becomes less of a concern. You probably don't need to see a healthcare
provider for a fever without other signs of illness.
See a healthcare provider if your child has:
- A
fever
(Armpit temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or
higher, forehead (temporal artery),
or ear temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher) that occurs after
the child has become overheated from being in a hot room or car
- A
fever in a child who has a weakened immune system from a health condition
or medicine
- Seeing
or hearing things that aren't really there (hallucinations)
- A
seizure
- Stiffness
of the neck, a really bad headache, ear pain, or pain in the stomach
- Trouble
breathing
- Swollen
or sore joints
If your child is not feeling well, but doesn't have
any of the above warning signs, he or she will most likely feel better with some
extra rest, healthy drinks and some additional cuddling. But if symptoms worsen
or don't go away, or if your child isn't eating, playing, or drinking, call
your child's healthcare provider.
And remember to always follow your parenting
instinct. If you feel like something's wrong, you are probably right and should call
a healthcare provider.
Convenient
locations with even better care.
When it comes to health care for your child, don’t
compromise. And with ChoiceOne
Urgent Care, a partner of Gwinnett Medical Center, you don’t
have to. You can receive convenient, personalized and comprehensive care for
your child exactly when they need it without any of the hassle.
Whether your child has a fever, a stomach ache or
even a broken bone, the dedicated team at ChoiceOne
Urgent Care will ensure that you receive thorough care from the
moment you walk through the door.
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