When to Call Your Child’s Pediatrician

Parenting does not come with an instruction manual. There are thousands of books on parenting, but they often seem to contradict each other in their advice.

One issue that bothers most parents is knowing when to call your child’s pediatrician or when to just ride it out. With that in mind, here’s a short guide in tackling the key symptoms that will tell you whether or not to pick up the phone and seek your pediatrician’s services.

FEVER

The reason a person’s temperature goes up is so that the body can fight off an infection more effectively – and that’s a good thing. Despite this, there will always be instances that will require you to ask for guidance from your doctor.

Call your pediatrician if any of the following are true for your child in regards to their temperature (in Fahrenheit):

• Babies under three months: rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Children older than three months: rectal temperature above 102 degrees
• If the child’s temperature goes above 104 degrees alongside other unusual symptoms, such as diarrhea or rash

STOMACH PAIN

Stomach pain is one of the most common reasons why parents take their child to the pediatrician. It is challenging to pinpoint its cause in kids.

What you can do as a parent is to see whether you can localize the source of the stomach pain. If your child cries from pain just when the area is touched, call the pediatrician. The child may also have severe constipation that seems to persist, which also warrants a call.

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS

Older children who are experiencing a cold do not usually need a visit to the doctor. The difference between a cold and a flu is that the person will also have a fever with a flu, but not with a cold.

For babies who are three months of age or younger, however, it’s best to see your pediatrician upon the first sign of an illness. The reason for this is that even a cold can quickly transform into more severe situations such as pneumonia, because young children do not yet have the antibodies to fight off an illness.

FALLS

Children experience accidents frequently. If your child has only suffered a minor accident, and they’re still alert and acting like themselves, there is probably no need to worry. However, it’s a different story if you observe the following:

• Severe blow to the head
• Fall onto the head against a hard surface
• Not walking normally
• Suddenly acting off-balanced
• Vomiting
• Unusual sleepiness
• Very irritable
• Confused

Immediately call your pediatrician if your child displays any of these signs listed above. It is better to overreact than to underreact when it comes to the health of your child.

BEST MEDICAL CARE FOR YOUR CHILD IN NORTHERN OHIO

Your child’s health is your top priority. If you want to find the best pediatrician who will assist you in taking care of your child, contact the experienced pediatric team at Wooster Community Hospital. We have the best medical professionals along with cutting-edge technology to ensure the total care of your whole family.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatricians, call us today at (330) 263-8144 or request an appointment via our online form. We look forward to taking care of you and your child for a lifetime of health and wellness.