Pediatric Care
Common Illnesses and Conditions
Growth and Development
Safety and Prevention
Behavioral and Psychosocial Issues
- AAP Recommendations for Child Sleep Disorders
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Eating Disorders on the Rise: AAP Clinical Report
- Emotional Problems: List
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Phobias
- PTSD
- School Avoidance: Tips for Parents
- Teen Suicide
- Understanding Childhood Fears and Anxieties
Newborns, Infants, and Toddlers
Is It OK to Call My Child’s Pediatrician Even If I’m Not Sure My Child Is Sick?
You should always feel free to call our office, even for routine questions about medicines, minor illnesses, injuries, behavior, or parenting advice. Keep in mind that your provider may not be able to answer every question without seeing your child first.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
Urgent Care
Sometimes it is hard to tell how sick your child is. Urgent care or a hospital visit is usually not needed for a simple cold or cough, mild diarrhea, constipation, temper tantrums, or sleep problems. However, call our office to find out whether your child should be seen if your child has any of the following:
- Vomiting and diarrhea that last for more than a few hours in a child of any age
- Rash, especially if there is also a fever
- Any cough or cold that does not improve in several days, or a cold that worsens and is accompanied by fever
- Cuts that might need stitches
- Limping or inability to move an arm or leg
- Ear pain with fever, inability to sleep or drink, vomiting, diarrhea, or acting ill
- Drainage from an ear
- Severe sore throat or problems swallowing
- Sharp or persistent pain in the abdomen or stomach
- Pain that worsens or does not go away after several hours
- A rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher in a baby younger than 2 months
- Fever and repeated vomiting at the same time
- Blood in the urine
- Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that will not go away
- Not drinking for more than 12 hours
Emergency Care
Call 911 for any severely ill or injured child, or if your infant or child has any of the following:
- Bleeding that does not stop with direct pressure over the wound
- Suspected poisoning (call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222)
- Seizures (rhythmic jerking and loss of consciousness)
- Trouble breathing
- Skin or lips that look blue, purple, or gray
- Neck stiffness or rash with fever
- Head injury with loss of consciousness, confusion, vomiting, or poor skin color
- Sudden lack of energy or inability to move
- Unconsciousness or lack of response
- Acting strangely or becoming more withdrawn and less alert
- A cut or burn that is large, deep, or involves the head, chest, abdomen, hands, groin, or face
Tips Before and During a Call to the Doctor
We prefer that you call with general questions during office hours. Before you call, have a pen and paper ready to write down instructions and questions. During the call, keep your child near the phone if possible in case you need to answer questions.
Be prepared to provide information about your child’s health:
Fever
If you think your child has a fever, take the temperature before you call. Write down the temperature and the time it was taken.
Medical Problems
Remind the provider about past medical problems such as asthma, seizures, or other conditions.
Medicines
Mention all prescription and nonprescription medicines, inhalers, supplements, vitamins, herbal products, and home remedies your child is taking.
Pharmacy
Have your pharmacy’s phone number ready.
If our office needs to return your call, make sure you are available. Turn off Do Not Disturb and keep phone lines open. If you leave a cell phone number, keep the phone on and remain where you can receive calls.
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