If you’re a parent, you may worry every time your child isn’t feeling well. How do you know when it’s time to bring them to the doctor? Gina Labovitz, MD, FAAP, at Ross Bridge Medical Center Pediatrics in Hoover, Alabama, offers same-day sick visits. In this blog, Dr. Labovitz explains what conditions to look for when considering scheduling a sick visit for your child.
When is a sick visit necessary?
A sick visit is for those times when your child is sick or in pain. While it may not be an emergency, your child still may need urgent care. If you’re not sure if your child needs a sick visit, just give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out. Your child may need a sick visit if they have any of the following conditions:
- Sore throat or bad cough
- Stomach ache, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea
- Severe allergic reaction to food or insect bites
- Swollen arms or legs
- Hives or a skin rash
- Dehydration or loss of appetite
- Bad headache or earache
- Stiff neck or swollen glands
- Unexplained pain anywhere in the body
- High fever and lethargy
- Chicken pox or another contagious illness
Trust your instincts when it comes to seeking help. You know your child best, so if something seems off, bring them in for a sick visit. We can determine what’s ailing them and help them feel better fast. We may need to take a throat culture, draw blood, or order other tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
Furthermore, if your child is showing any signs of COVID-19, which include many of the symptoms above, please call our office right away.
Considerations
When you call us for a sick visit, be prepared to tell us their symptoms, their temperature, how long they’ve been ill, and what you’ve been doing to help them. These things will help us determine if they need to be seen right away.
What if there’s an emergency?
If there’s a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or get your child to the nearest emergency room if it’s safe to do so. Emergencies include:
- Broken bones, especially if they’re sticking out of the skin
- Trouble breathing
- Unexplained seizures
- Blue-colored skin that may also feel cold
- Unconsciousness
If there’s not an emergency, but you need a sick visit for your child, book an appointment online or over the phone today. We offer same-day sick visits for their health and safety and your peace of mind.