If your child is sick or injured with something severe or unusual, don’t try to be a hero and address it yourself – call a doctor’s office. It is ideal to take the child to a pediatric urgent care to see a specialized pediatrician, so your child’s issue can be diagnosed and treated right away and appropriately.
Let’s talk about some helpful tips regarding when to take your child to see a pediatrician, and where you can go in Fairless Hills for world-class pediatric care.
Tip #1: See a Pediatrician When Your Child’s Fever Is High
What constitutes a high fever in children? If an infant is three months old or younger, contact your child’s pediatrician if the fever is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. For a child three months to two years, call if the temperature is 102 degrees or higher. And, for people who are over the age of 3, contact the physician if the fever reaches 103 or more.
Tip #2: Take Your Child to the Doctor When Symptoms of Illness Persist
As the parent, you have an innate sense about when your child is not doing well. Call the child’s pediatrician for an evaluation if your youngster displays any of the following symptoms:
- Poor appetite (eating noticeably more or less than usual)
- Acting listless and fatigued
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Cough
Dehydration in an infant or young child after a cold or the flu is urgent, so see a pediatrician right away if the child’s skin or mouth/nose areas are dry, or urine output is low.
Serious symptoms warrant a trip to the hospital emergency room (ER) – call 911 if the child displays loss of consciousness, sudden confusion, shortness of breath, or continuous bleeding from a wound.
Tip #3: Call the Doctor if You Think Your Child Has an Infection
Symptoms of common childhood infections include:
- Irritability (due to pain), fever, and pulling at an ear (middle ear infection)
- Complaining about pain when urinating (urinary tract infection, or UTI)
- Red, itchy, sticky, draining eyes (pink eye)
- Very sore throat with swollen lymph nodes (strep throat or tonsillitis)
Tip #4: See a Pediatrician if Your Child’s Blood Sugar Is Too Low or High, or Asthma Worsens
Many children live with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma. As such, parents and caregivers should routinely track the child’s symptoms and know when something is amiss.
If your pediatrician is making you feel as if you’re becoming a problem (overreacting, etc.), then find another pediatrician. It is better to overreact than to not react quickly enough. A good pediatrician understands this.
Pediatric Urgent Care Center in Fairless Hills
To see an outstanding pediatrician, the professional and compassionate medical team here at Patient Care Now Urgent Care is here for you – and our facility includes a pediatric urgent care. We have a board-certified physician on-site at all times during our extended open hours, along with other highly skilled medical providers who love working with children.
We offer quick treatment of health issues and short wait times, along with a wide array of services to take care of the needs of everyone – from babies through senior adults.
We are open seven days a week, including holidays. So, just walk in, or call ahead to tell us you are coming: (267) 202-6433. We also have an online check-in for your convenience. We look forward to seeing you and your family!
