Going to the doctor with your children can be scary, especially for first-time parents. But it’s important to know when to take your child to the doctor in an emergency because one decision can save their life. Additionally, getting pediatric checks can prevent any illnesses from developing further, and the specialist should be able to uncover any possible underlying conditions.
According to the CDC, it’s estimated that 4.6% of kids between the ages of 5 and 11 missed more than 11 days of school in the past year due to being injured or ill. Therefore, every parent should know when to take their child to the doctor. Let’s find out more!
Getting a Pediatric Check
When your child is born, your doctor will recommend several initial visits to a pediatrician to check up on your baby. The specialist will inform you about your child’s health and will schedule more appointments if necessary. You should definitely keep up with those checkups as they are vital for a child’s development.
After those initial visits, most people take their kids to the pediatrician once a year.
Fever or Vomiting
Now the issue becomes trickier when your child suffers from something. Should you call the pediatrician right away or wait for it to get better with time? Should you take drastic measures and go to the emergency room? These are both valid questions and the answer will depend on your child.
If your child is younger than 2 months old and has a fever of 100.4° Fahrenheit, that’s an emergency. In this case, you should go to the nearest emergency clinic instead of a pediatrician.
If the child is older, it will depend on other factors such as how long the fever has lasted, how the child is behaving, if they eat, if they cry all the time, etc. You could wait it out if your child is vaccinated, but if they’re not, all fevers require a doctor’s visit.
Meanwhile, if there’s vomiting or diarrhea, your child has contracted a viral infection. Most of the time, these are not concerning unless they are intense and don’t stop. The issue here is the possibility of dehydration, which can be dangerous. Most stomach problems last 24 hours, however, if they last longer, you should contact your pediatrician.
Don’t be afraid to call your doctor with your concerns if your child doesn’t get better. Maintaining regular pediatric checks will ensure to catch issues before they get worse. If you are looking for a reliable pediatrician in the Phoenix area, contact us today!
