How to Decide When to Bring Your Sick Child to See a Doctor

The most difficult job to master in life is probably parenting. Heads of Fortune 500 companies have nothing on parents and guardians trying to figure out things like how to instill values and confidence while also keeping their children safe and healthy. Since children don’t come with a manual, parents simply learn as they go, picking up advice from their parents and culling information from books and the Internet.

One of the most challenging and important skills to learn is knowing when to make an appointment to see a doctor. After all, most children seem to cycle through being sick pretty quickly, making it hard to pinpoint what constitutes too sick to let the episode of illness run its course on its own.

The highly skilled board-certified physicians and medical team at Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic provide our insights on how to navigate the when to see the doctor dilemma.

First of all, understand that you know your baby or child better than anyone else. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and make a sick visit appointment. At Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic our compassionate team knows that when your child is sick, getting them properly diagnosed and beginning treatment is essential, so our practice offers same-day and next-day appointments as well as walk-ins whenever we can. 

High fevers and infection

There are several signs and symptoms that typically indicate that your child’s sickness is something more than the run-of-the-mill bug going around school. One key indicator is a fever. If your baby or child has been running a fever that just doesn’t go away after a day or two, call Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic. 

How high a fever is and the age of your baby or child are also key factors. For instance, a fever of above 104°F for children of all ages as a cause of concern. If your baby is younger than 12 weeks or three months and has a temperature of 100.4°F, call your doctor right away. 

Remember that although fevers — particularly when they won’t go down — can be scary, they may also indicate that your baby’s or child’s immune system is actively working. That’s actually a good thing.

Rashes that won’t go away

Tracking the combination of your child’s symptoms will also be important in your decision on whether your child’s illness warrants a doctor’s appointment. If your child has a fever and a rash that won’t go away, then give Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic a call. Most rashes typically go away as quickly as they came, however, if the rash is painful and your child is lethargic, it’s best to get it checked out.

Persistent pain or nausea

If your child complains of symptoms like headaches, abdominal or neck pain, nausea, or has a sore throat, make an appointment to have your Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic doctor do a full workup to see what’s going on. A stiff neck, a rash, or a fever could be the signs of something more serious like meningitis, but you won’t know until your doctor does a comprehensive examination and runs diagnostic tests to find out. 

Most of the time the culprits are the common cold or something minor, but being cautious gives you certainty. Your doctor is your partner in your child’s health. Our caring medical and professional staff understands that when your child is sick you just want them to feel better. 

If your child is sick or something with their health just isn’t adding up, make an appointment right away with the highly skilled board-certified physicians and medical team at Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic in New Albany, Mississippi. Request an appointment online or call today.