When Should I Take My Child To The Pediatrician?

School-aged children get an average of nine colds per year

. The common cold does not usually call for a trip to the pediatrician, but when the symptoms change, a visit may be necessary. Here are some ways to know when you should take your child to the pediatrician.

Fever

Call your pediatrician if your child is under 3 months and has a fever of 100.4 degrees or more. In older children, fever is the body"s way of defending itself from viruses. Call the pediatrician if your child has other symptoms along with fever or has had a fever for more than three days. Children"s ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for children 7 months and older as treatment. Other remedies include a lukewarm bath, plenty of fluids, and rest.

Cold/Flu

Cold symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, and fever. The symptoms last about 7 to 10 days. Since colds are caused by a virus, antibiotics do not treat the symptoms or shorten the length of a cold. Extra fluids and rest are the best remedies for a child"s cold. High or persistent fever, labored breathing, earache, persistent sore throat, and severe headache are all reasons to call the pediatrician. Colds can turn in to bacterial infections which should be treated as soon as possible.

The flu will show symptoms primarily in the nose, throat, and lungs, and usually includes muscle aches, fever of more than 100 degrees, chills, and extreme tiredness. Call the pediatrician if fever is not coming down with medication, symptoms last longer than five days, child exhibits difficulty breathing, stiff neck, or cannot keep liquids and foods down. Also, children under 5 years old have a higher risk of flu complications. Contact your pediatrician, in this case, as soon as your child shows these symptoms.

Stomach Virus

The biggest risk of a stomach virus is dehydration. With frequent vomiting or diarrhea, watch to make sure your child is able to urinate at least once every four to six hours. Additionally, watch for sunken eyes, lethargy, inconsolable crying, crying with no tears, and abdominal pain. Call the pediatrician if your child cannot keep fluids down for more than 24 hours.

Injuries

A minor bump to the head should first be treated with ice and observation. Watch for changes in behavior. Loss of consciousness, vomiting, dizziness, and prolonged crying could be signs of a concussion and should be treated immediately. Injuries on the playground to the arms or legs should be treated by a pediatrician when the child cannot walk or use the limb, the area swells, or the child turns pale or lethargic. This could be a sign of a fracture to the bone.

by: Peter Wendt

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