How to Know the Urgency of Getting Medical Care for Your Sick Child

It's no surprise that kids get sick; between the germs at school and immature immune systems, sickness spreads easily. However, not all illnesses are equal, and some require professional treatment.

If you aren’t sure when to take your child to an urgent care or ER, Dr. Sindu Pillai offers sick visits and same-day appointments to help your child feel better. You can call her to determine if you can take care of your child at home or when you need an urgent visit.

Signs and symptoms of a sick child

Fall is here, which means winter will arrive before you know it. The colder weather often brings on illness and exacerbation of conditions like asthma in kids.

It isn’t uncommon to hear your child coughing and sneezing, but what other symptoms could signal they aren't feeling well? The following are prevalent signs that your child is sick:

Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Vomiting or diarrhea
Fatigue or lethargy
Wheezing
Nasal congestion
Abdominal pain
Rash
Eye redness

It's heartbreaking to watch your child not feel well, but not every illness is an emergency. It's essential to know the signs and symptoms that require an urgent trip to a specialist and those that you can treat at home.

What symptoms indicate an urgent trip to the ER?

Some symptoms are a cause for concern when it comes to your child. Getting them help fast enough prevents serious complications and worsening illness. It's essential to get your child to an ER or urgent care if they have any of the following symptoms:

High fever above 105 degrees
Severe pain
Difficulty breathing
Changes in behavior
Seizures at any age
Widespread rashes
Infrequent urination or dehydration
Bluish lips or skin

It's also urgent to get your child treatment if they aren't getting better with home treatment. A cold that worsens, or nausea or vomiting that persists, are reasons to get your child treatment sooner rather than later.

Signs that you can bring your child into the office

Sometimes, you can take care of your child at home or call into our office for advice. Not all illnesses are life-threatening, but they may require a trip to our office for an expert evaluation and treatment.

Dr. Pillai recommends bringing your child in for a sick visit if they are experiencing any of the following:

Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
Inability to keep fluids down
Cold symptoms that don't resolve within a few days
Persistent sore throat
A fever that doesn't break
Ear pain or drainage
Eye redness or discharge
Exacerbation of a chronic health issue

At your child's sick visit, we evaluate their symptoms and perform a physical exam. She discusses when the symptoms started and any pertinent medical history.

When she comes up with a diagnosis, she offers home care tips to help your child feel better. For infections, she may prescribe antibiotics and provide information on over-the-counter pain medications and antipyretics.

Contact our Murrieta, California, office today to schedule a sick visit with Dr. Pillai, or click here to request a consultation on our website.