Your Baby Is Sick: When Should You Call Your Pediatrician?

If your baby has developed a fever, a rash or other concerning symptoms of illness, you may be wondering whether it’s time to call your pediatrician. Although some symptoms can be indicators of disease and may necessitate a visit to the doctor’s office, others may be more benign than you think. However, many new parents tend to be extra cautious and may be more inclined to call the pediatrician just to be safe. If you want to understand when it’s most appropriate to reach out to your doctor and when you may be able to handle a health situation at home, read on for some key insights.

Virus or Bacterial Infection: How To Tell The Difference

Before you can identify the right baby immune system support strategy for your little one, you may need to determine whether your child is likely suffering from a virus or from a bacterial infection. Although the two can share a number of similarities, there are some key differences that can help you tell them apart, namely:

• Viral infections usually involve coughing, a fever, a runny nose, a sore throat and poor sleep
• Bacterial infections are typically secondary infections and may involve significantly worsening fevers throughout the course of the illness
• Viral infections are generally shorter-lived than bacterial infections, which may last for more than two weeks

Regardless of whether you believe your baby is suffering from a viral or bacterial infection, there are certain symptoms that likely do warrant a call to your pediatrician. For example, call your doctor or book an office visit right away if your baby is experiencing:

• Constant coughing
• Vomiting or nausea
• Diarrhea or constipation
• High fever
• Pale skin or persistent rashes
• Unconsciousness or seizures

Putting Your Mind At Ease

When your baby is sick, it may feel difficult to put your mind at ease. However, taking steps to treat your child’s condition and get him or her back to good health is a surefire way to feel better. To address any health concerns right away, you may want to:

• Call your pediatrician on the phone for personalized recommendations or schedule an in-person visit if your baby’s symptoms appear more severe
• Keep your medicine cabinet stocked with a few essential medicines and treatments such as Wellements vapor rub at all times just in case
• Monitor your child’s symptoms carefully and keep his or her pediatrician updated for further advice
• Lean on trusted friends and family members for additional childcare support while your little one is sick if needed

When your child starts displaying symptoms of potential illness, your first instinct may be to pick up the phone and dial the pediatrician’s office. While calling the pediatrician may be the best option in many cases, there are other times when your baby’s symptoms may not be as concerning as they appear. You can use the above guide to figure out when it’s best to call your pediatrician, keeping in mind that you always have the option of contacting your doctor anyways just to be safe.

*Disclaimer - This article is provided by Wellements*