When Should You Take Your Child To The Pediatrician?
Posted on: 13 April 2021
As a parent, there are few things worse than seeing your child sick. You love your child with all your heart and hate to see him or her in discomfort. While there are certain conditions that can be treated at home, others need the assistance of a medical professional as soon as possible.
Here are a few signs you should take your child to see a pediatrician.
High Fever
If your child's forehead feels a little warm, it is usually nothing to be concerned about. However, if your child's fever is more than 104° F, you should take him or her to see a pediatrician immediately. Very high fevers can increase the risk of brain damage.
Prolonged Vomiting
It is not abnormal for children to occasionally vomit if they eat something that does not agree with them. However, if the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, there may be a bigger problem to worry about. A pediatrician should examine your child promptly and determine the cause of the vomiting. Prolonged vomiting can result from many conditions, such as appendicitis or a kidney infection.
Rash
If your child has a rash that goes away within a few days, it is probably not a cause for concern. On the other hand, if the rash persists and is accompanied by swollen bumps, trouble breathing, or fever, you should take your child to see a pediatrician right away to get treated.
Persistent Coughing
Whether it is due to the common cold or the flu, coughing is very common among children and typically nothing to worry about. However, sometimes coughing is serious and requires medical care. For example, if the coughing is accompanied by chest pain or lasts more than 10 days, you should make an appointment with the pediatrician as soon as possible.
Chronic Diarrhea
Diarrhea from time to time is not usually a big deal. However, if your child has diarrhea for more than 24 hours, it can be a sign of a bigger issue. For example, your child could have inflammatory bowel disease or a bacterial infection. It is important to take your child to see a pediatrician right away to get to the root of the problem.
If your child is displaying any of these signs, you should make an appointment to see a pediatrician as soon as possible. A pediatrician will assess your child's symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment.
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