When to meet Pediatrician with Common Infections

If you have kids, you may have asked yourself if you need to call or see the paediatrician.

Sometimes it is evident that your child is ill. In other cases, symptoms may seem mild, or you are unsure whether a call to the doctor is needed. Depending on your child’s age, determining how sick they are can be even more challenging.

While most common childhood illnesses are not severe, a call or trip to the paediatrician is sometimes needed.

Common childhood illnesses

Certain illnesses are routine, and most children will get them at some point during their childhood. For example, according to experts, children get about six to eight colds a year.

Some of the most routine childhood illnesses include:

• Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
• Ear infection
• Seasonal flu
• Bronchiolitis

Although you may realise certain illnesses are common, having particular worries and fears is normal if your child gets sick. For instance, you may feel helpless when your child feels unwell. It is also typical to feel worried or unsure of what to do. While you do not want to overreact and put your child through unneeded procedures, you also want to ensure they get the care they need. Fortunately, some general guidelines help you decide when to seek help.

Typical illness symptoms and when to call the doctor

Fever is one of the most common symptoms of childhood illnesses. Fever in itself does not always mean you need to see a paediatrician. The age of your child as well as additional symptoms and the duration of the fever, may help you decide when to call the paediatrician

Consider calling the paediatrician in the following situations:

• A fever over 104°F
• A fever above 100.4 °F in a baby under 3 months
• A fever that does not respond to over-the-counter fever medication, such as paracetamol
• Your child has additional symptoms, such as ear pain, sore throat, stiff neck, or headache
• If the child looks sick or has unusual behaviour

Coughingis a typical symptom of many illnesses, such as a cold, flu, or bronchitis. Simple remedies, such as a cool-mist humidifier or occasional bulb suctioning a baby, may help remove mucus and ease coughing.

Consider calling your paediatrician for coughing in the following cases:

• The cough is getting worse each day
• Breathing is faster than normal
• Wheezing is present
• The cough lasts more than a week
• Poor feeding and not able to sleep

Vomiting is another scary symptom. Your child may vomit from gastroenteritis, food allergies, or the flu. But vomiting can become serious if it leads to dehydration.

Call the paediatrician if any of the following is present:

• Your child’s stomach is hard or tender to the touch
• Signs of dehydration are present, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, sunken soft spots in babies, fewer crying tears, and fewer wet diapers (reduced urine output) than usual in babies.
• Your child is unable to keep any liquids down
• Excessive sleepiness occurs
• If your baby is less than two months old and is vomiting, not just spitting up

Irritability is common, and little ones and even older kids may get ir/ritable for several reasons, such as being tired or hungry. But there are also times it could be a sign of an illness.

You may want to call the doctor in the following situations:

• Your baby is inconsolable
• Your child is crying much more than normal
• Additional symptoms are present; such as fever or headache

Signs you should call Hospital Emergency/Casualty

Recognising a problematic situation is essential, and you must head to the Hospital emergency/Casualty. Signs you should get immediate medical help and not wait for a call back from the doctor include:

• Trouble breathing, which may include retractions (the area in between the ribs sucks in when inhaling)
• Bluish lips and fingernails
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction (swollen lips, rash, wheezing)
• Decreased responsiveness
• Loss of consciousness

Remember, you know your child best. You may recognise something that seems off. When in doubt, call the paediatrician. It is better to err on the side of caution and speak to your child’s doctor. A call might provide helpful tips and save lives.