When to Schedule a Sick Visit for Your Child

You know you need to keep your child home from school when they have a fever. But, you may wonder: When do I need to schedule a sick visit?

Parents all over the United States debate this question on a daily basis. We get it.

At Houston Family MD, Dr. Ranjit S. Grewal wants to share with you when we think it’s definitely time to schedule a sick visit for your child.

When to schedule sick visits

There’s no need to debate whether you should bring your child to see us. If you have a concern, schedule a visit. 

However, we do recommend sick visits for children when they have certain symptoms or illnesses, such as:

• A high fever 
• A high fever with a rash, vomiting, or stiff neck
• A fever that lasts more than three days
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Flu-like symptoms
• Cold symptoms that last longer than a week
• Pain during urination
• Unexpected rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Earache
• Persistent stomach ache or headache
• Sprain or strain
• Minor cut
• Sports injury

You may also want to schedule a sick visit if you have concerns about COVID-19. We can also schedule a telemedicine appointment to discuss your child’s symptoms and make recommendations about testing and treatments to manage symptoms. 

We also offer mental health services. If you have a concern about your child’s social, emotional, or psychological well-being, we can help. 

Care provided during sick visits

Kids don’t get sick on a schedule, which is why we have sick visit appointments in our daily schedule. With sick visit appointments, you can get help when you need it.

The details of your child’s sick visit may depend on your child’s illness. As noted, we offer virtual visits, which can make things more convenient and reduce you and your child’s risk of exposure to contagious diseases. 

During a sick visit, our compassionate providers ask detailed questions about your child’s symptoms and do a quick review of their medical history. We perform a physical exam and may request testing, such as COVID-19 testing, a flu test, or a check for strep throat, to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

After your child’s exam, we provide recommendations to treat or ease your child’s symptoms. In some instances, such as a broken bone, we refer you to a specialist for additional care. 

When to get emergency care

We consider your child’s health a priority. While we do our best to offer a wide range of services, if your child has a serious life-threatening illness or injury, we may recommend emergency care.

You need to bring your child to the emergency room if they have a head injury, severe shortness of breath, or a large open wound. In some cases, we may send you to the emergency room after your in-office or online sick visit if we feel your child needs care we can’t provide at the office.

When it comes to your child, trust your instincts. Any time you have concerns about your child’s physical or emotional well-being, schedule a sick visit. 

To help your child get well, call 281-477-0525 or book an appointment online at Houston Family MD today.