When a baby is injured or sick, the last thing a parent wants to do is to have to worry about if they should take them to the emergency room, the pediatrician, or urgent care. Some conditions that require services from a Pediatric Urgent Care, Frisco TX service provider can be found here.
Strep Throat
There are over three million cases of diagnosed strep throat every year, which is a type of bacterial infection that results in a scratchy, sore throat. It is very probable that a child will contract this at some point, so a parent needs to know what to do when a sore throat occurs. If the issue is strep throat, antibiotics can take care of the condition and ease the child’s discomfort.
Ear Infections
Another condition that some children will experience is an ear infection. Since these are common in toddlers and children, they may not be able to tell their parents how they are feeling, which means it is up to the parent to be on the lookout for any symptoms, such as fever, tugging at the ears, and fussiness. Usually, antibiotics will be prescribed for an ear infection because they are typically bacterial.
Sprains or Broken Bones
Any time a child breaks a bone, it can be a serious situation. While this is true, most urgent care centers will have the resources to x-ray, set, and apply a cast to broken bones. The only exception to this is if the broken bone has pierced through the skin or if they believe that the child’s back or neck is broken. If this happens, calling 9-1-1 is a must.
Common Colds
A common cold is the result of a virus that is spread through the air and due to the direct contact with someone who is contagious. These are most common during the rainy or cold seasons but will occur at any time during the year. It’s estimated that children can catch up to 12 colds each year – that is quite a bit of sneezing and coughing.
Unfortunately, there isn’t too much that a doctor will be able to do for a cold. Usually, they just have to run their course. However, according to the CDC, it’s a good idea to go to the doctor if a child has a high temperature, if the symptoms last for more than ten days, or if their symptoms are unusual or severe.
The Flu
While doctors can’t always provide any treatment for cases of the flu, if a child becomes dehydrated or can’t keep fluids down, going to urgent care can be beneficial. The doctor can provide IV fluid to help with rehydration.
When it comes to a child’s illness, there are more than a few factors to consider. However, if the child has any of the symptoms or conditions listed here, it is better to have them checked out by a doctor. Being informed and knowing when to go to the doctor is the best way to ensure that they get the care and treatment needed.