Ascending Butterfly's Kids Corner, Guest Article Contributed by the experts at Kiddie Academy
How many times have you retrieved your pediatrician's phone number from your rolodex, only to stare at your phone wondering: Should I call, or shouldn't I? No one wants to pester the doctor needlessly or halt the day's plans for no good reason. On the other hand, a call to the doctor can put your mind at ease and prevent a child's illness from escalating to something more severe.
If you are on the fence about whether or not to call your pediatrician, you may want to consider the following guidelines, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), to help you make an informed decision.
When a fever warrants a call to the pediatrician
The seriousness of a fever depends largely on the age of the child and how high the fever is. The AAP urges parents to call their pediatrician if a child is:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Two months or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Three to six months of age and has a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or greater.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Older than six months with a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) or higher.
Miscellaneous symptoms that warrant a call to the doctor
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A sore throat that makes it difficult to swallow, or that lasts for more than two days
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - An earache that wakes a child from sleep or interferes with daily activity because of associated pain, or that lasts for more than a day or two
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A cough that is nonstop, interferes with normal activity (sleeping or physical activity), is accompanied by wheezing, or that persists for several days
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - An unexplained rash
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Behavior counts
A fever doesn't always tell the whole story. Nor do other tangible symptoms like a sore throat. Experts inform us that our children's behavior is often the best barometer of how well, or bad, they feel. So, if your child has a fever but maintains a hearty appetite and activity level close to normal, that generally means there's less to worry about than when a fever is accompanied by other worrisome, but perhaps less tangible, symptoms—like extreme lethargy or fussiness.
The bottom line is this: You know your child best—how active, happy, or fussy she typically is. Any dramatic changes in behavior—for example, complete loss of appetite in a child who's typically a good eater—should serve as a red flag.
Do you have additional tips to share? Have you ever avoided the doctor and then found out your child really needed medical attention?
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙
FTC Disclosure: This article was provided and sponsored by Kiddie Academy®. The company has been a leader in education-based childcare for 30 years serving families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. You can visit the KA Family Essentials blog and LIKE them on FB as well as Twitter @KiddieAcademy for additional information.
