Common Childhood Illnesses: When to Consult a Doctor
Dealing with childhood illnesses is a part of life as a parent. When your child is feeling under the weather, sometimes it’s hard to know when to let the illness run its course or when it’s time to consult a doctor. This article will go over a few simple guidelines to help you know when to see a pediatrician for your sick child.
At Nest Health, we offer both in-office and virtual pediatric services to help make finding care for your child simple and convenient. That way, you can skip the waiting rooms and get quality care from the comfort of your own home. If you've been contacted by Nest or your health plan or think you and your family might be eligible, Call Us Today at 866-222-NEST (6378)
Why It’s Important to Take Action When Your Child Gets Sick
When your child gets sick, things can quickly take a turn for the worse as their young bodies are still developing. Delaying appropriate care can lead the illness to worsen into something more serious. When this happens, it not only puts your child’s health at risk, but can also result in more expensive treatments. Seeking medical care early on will help give you some peace of mind and ensure that your child is on the path to a smooth recovery.
Common Childhood Illnesses and Their Symptoms
Here are a few of the most common childhood illnesses, some of their possible symptoms, and a few guidelines for when to see a pediatrician:
Common Cold
Symptoms:
Some common symptoms include runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.
Other symptoms include a cough, sore throat, or headache.
Fatigue, mild loss of appetite, or a mild fever may also be present.
When To Consult a Doctor:
If your child has issues with breathing such as rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, as these can be signs of respiratory complications.
If your child is coughing so much that they vomit or choke.
If the cold lasts for more than 10 days or worsens.
Flu (Influenza)
Symptoms:
The flu has more severe symptoms with a faster onset than the common cold, such as high fever, body aches, and cough.
Other symptoms include runny nose, fatigue, headache, and diarrhea or vomiting.
When To Consult a Doctor:
If your child has trouble breathing or is breathing rapidly. These can be signs of secondary respiratory complications like pneumonia.
If your child is coughing so much that it causes vomiting or choking.
Your child’s fever persists beyond 3 days.
Ear Infection
Symptoms:
Symptoms may include fever, issues with sleep, problems with balance, or fluid draining from the ear.
You may notice your child pulling on their ears or showing signs of discomfort, along with ear pain.
When To Consult a Doctor:
If symptoms persist or worsen after 3 days.
If there are signs of changes in hearing or hearing loss.
If your child keeps getting ear infections.
Chickenpox:
Symptoms:
Symptoms include a red, itchy, rash all over the body that turns into blisters.
Cough, runny nose, fever may also occur.
When To Consult a Doctor:
If the blisters become painful or burning.
If your child has trouble breathing or is breathing rapidly.
Stomach Bug (gastroenteritis)
Symptoms:
Some common symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
A fever, headache, or muscle aches may also occur.
When To Consult a Doctor:
When your child shows signs of dehydration such as lethargy, dizziness, few/no tears when crying, reduced urination, or pale skin.
If your child cannot keep down fluids, as this can lead to dehydration.
When blood is present in your child’s poop or vomit.
If vomiting and diarrhea last longer than a few days, or symptoms otherwise persist or worsen.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Symptoms:
Symptoms include painful mouth sores and a typically non-itchy rash on the hands/feet/other parts of the body
“Flu-like symptoms” such as fever, feeling under the weather, or sore throat.
When To Consult a Doctor:
Your child’s fever persists beyond 3 days.
If symptoms do not go away or worsen.
Strep Throat
Symptoms:
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, and trouble swallowing.
Some signs include swollen tonsils, and red spots on the top of the mouth.
When To Consult a Doctor:
If your child’s fever persists beyond 3 days.
If your child has trouble breathing or is breathing rapidly.
If symptoms otherwise persist or worsen.
When to Consult a Doctor for Your Child’s Illness
Here are some simple guidelines for when it’s time to call a doctor for your sick child:
If symptoms persist or worsen.
If your child’s fever lasts longer than 3 days, or is high (greater than 102° F).
If your child has difficulty breathing or wheezing.
When your child is unable to keep down fluids and/or shows signs of dehydration such as lethargy, dizziness, few/no tears when crying, reduced urination, or pale skin.
If your child is coughing so much that it causes vomiting or choking.
Key Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Here are some warning signs that indicate it’s time to seek medical care right away:
If your child has trouble breathing or is breathing rapidly.
Severe pain, such as a bad stomach ache that doesn’t go away.
Uncontrolled crying, extreme irritability, or other signs of distress.
Convulsions or seizures.
A rash that doesn’t fade or turn lighter when you press on it.
Unusual severe tiredness, or trouble waking your child.
Changes in alertness or consciousness.
What to Expect During a Visit to the Doctor
Pediatricians are experts in managing common childhood illnesses. However, seeing the doctor for your sick child can be a little intimidating if you’re unsure of what goes on during a visit. Here’s what you can expect during your visit to the pediatrician:
First, the doctor will ask you some questions about your child’s symptoms such as:
What symptoms is your child having?
When did they start?
How severe are they and have they gotten worse?
Then, the doctor will examine your child by taking their temperature, listening to their breathing and heartbeat, examining their eyes, ears, and general appearance, and more.
Finally, the doctor will discuss treatment options with you, such as whether further testing or medications are needed. They may recommend simple things to do at home such as rest and fluids. They will also let you know about any warning signs that indicate you need to bring your child back to the doctor.
With Nest Health, you can rest easy knowing that quality healthcare can be convenient and stress-free. We offer virtual telehealth visits where you can quickly consult with a doctor to help your child recover as smoothly as possible.
Preventing Illnesses and Keeping Your Child Healthy
Fortunately, there are several preventative things you can do to help keep your child healthy and reduce their chances of getting sick:
Washing hands. Teach your child to scrub their hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap. This is especially important before eating or after using the bathroom. You should also discourage your child from touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with their hands.
Stay up to date on vaccinations. Many potentially serious childhood illnesses (such as whooping cough, chickenpox, or measles) can be prevented by keeping your child up-to-date on their vaccine schedule. For families with Medicaid, many of these vaccines are offered at low-cost or even for free.
Encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. This includes eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
Avoiding sharing. Illnesses can quickly spread among children at school or day care. Avoid sharing food, drinks, utensils, or towels.
Regular visits to your pediatrician. Regular physicals, as directed by your child’s physician, are an important part of preventive care to keep your child healthy. These visits can also identify potential health concerns so that they can be managed early.
Access Convenient In-Home Pediatric Care with Nest Health
Nest Health offers convenient pediatric in-home and virtual services, so that you can care for your child without having to worry about transportation or waiting rooms. Our pediatricians at Nest Health believe in a holistic approach to your child’s health. This means that, in addition to their physical needs, we address social and behavioral aspects of their health as also important to their overall well-being.
If you've been contacted by Nest or your health plan, or think you and your family might be eligible, Call 866-222-NEST (6378) today to learn more about how Nest Health can help with your child’s health concerns, from minor illnesses to long-term care.
