“Stay Home” Sick vs. “Hospital” Sick

How Sick is Really Sick?

If your child is sick, how can you tell if they need to go to the ER or see a pediatrician immediately? The question confounds many parents, especially those with younger children who cannot articulate the severity of their symptoms. Conventional wisdom says to play it safe. A trip to the ER that does not result in hospital admission or treatment can still be well worth the peace of mind. But then again, trips to the ER can be stressful and expensive, so it’s worth your while to know roughly what symptoms can stay at home and what symptoms can’t.

Running a fever is one of the most common childhood ailments. Many parents instinctively check the thermometer at any sign of trouble, and start to worry if a child’s temperature creeps above 102°. A high fever alone, however, does not necessarily mean danger. If your child can still eat, drink, and respond to you, chances are they’re okay. If they seem disoriented or have other concerning symptoms coupled with their fever, it might be time to seek medical advice.

Know Your Symptoms

Running a fever is one of the most common childhood ailments. Many parents instinctively check the thermometer at any sign of trouble, and start to worry if a child’s temperature creeps above 102°. A high fever alone, however, does not necessarily mean danger. If your child can still eat, drink, and respond to you, chances are they’re okay. If they seem disoriented or have other concerning symptoms coupled with their fever, it might be time to seek medical advice.

Trust Your Judgement

There are always steps you can take before deciding to go the emergency room. If you have a family physician who’s on call for you, talk to her or him before you jump in the car. Searching online about symptoms a good resource, but can sometimes feed your concern; if trying to figure things out online, make sure you only surf trusted medical sites. Ultimately, you should trust your judgment above all.