Is Your Child Sick? 3 Signs You Should See a Pediatrician
When your child is sick, and especially if he is not of speaking-age yet, it’s important to watch for signs that his body gives. Although he is not verbally communicating to you that he doesn’t feel well, the body will produce symptoms that tell you something is wrong. Here are three signs that your child is likely sick and what you should do:
Sign 1 – Fever
A fever itself is not an issue unless it reaches dangerous temperatures. A fever is your body’s way of communicating that something is wrong and it’s trying to fight the bacteria or illness. Instead of giving your child medication to suppress the fever, bring him into Primary Pediatrics so his trained pediatrician can diagnose and treat the underlying problem.
Sign 2 – Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common sign of your body trying to flush out a culprit or that a virus is occurring. While a couple bouts of diarrhea may not be a cause for concern, consistent diarrhea is not normal and needs to be addressed, especially because diarrhea can cause dehydration.
Sign 3 – Rash
Allergies and viral infections are the two most common culprits behind the onset of rashes. It’s important to determine what is causing the rash and how to treat it. Simply managing the rash won’t help your child’s immune system fight what is going on inside the body. If it’s allergies, it’s important to know exactly what he’s allergic to and how to avoid the allergens. If it’s a viral infection, he will likely need medication to help his body fight it.
When to See Your Pediatrician
If your child is eating, sleeping, and behaving as usual, it’s likely that the symptoms you’re noticing are not produced by a severe health problem. However, if your child refuses to eat, has trouble sleeping, or is acting abnormally, bring him to his pediatrician right away. As always, if you’re concerned about any symptoms you’re noticing, your Primary Pediatrics pediatrician is here to help.