When To Call The Doctor

Common Illnesses
Contagious Diseases
Lifelong Health Issues
Unavoidable Conditions
Why Kids Get Sick So Often
When To Call The Doctor
When To Send Your Child to Daycare
Safe Use of Antibiotics

When to Call the Doctor

Is it just a cold? Or a virus? How is a parent supposed to know when the aches and pains of childhood are serious and when they just need some Tylenol and chicken soup?

Most of the time, if your child isn't acting sick -- no matter how bad they cough, or how runny the nose -- they aren't sick enough for a doctor visit. However, if your normally active child is listless, glassy-eyed, and otherwise "not normal", a call is warranted.

If these signs and symptoms are present, call the doctor immediately:

High fever, or ANY fever in an infant younger than 4 weeks

Chills that make the child shake all over

Has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe; makes a whooping sound when she breathes after coughing; makes a wheezing sound when he exhales.

Loss of consciousness

Extreme sleepiness or unexplained lethargy

Listless or cranky

Unusual excitement or hysterical crying

Sudden weakness or paralysis of any part of the body

Seizures (convulsions) or uncontrollable shaking of an arm or leg

Severe headache

Pain, heaviness, or stuffiness around the nose, eyes, or forehead

Nasal fluid that is discolored, bad-smelling, or bloody

Sudden hearing loss

Earache

Fluid discharge from the ear

Sudden decrease in vision

Eyes that are red, swollen, and watery, with or without blurred vision.

Severe or prolonged episode of diarrhea, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain or if the diarrheal stools contain blood.

Signs of dehydration including dry lips and tongue, skin that is pale and dry, sunken eyes, listlessness or decreased activity, and decreased urination.

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If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Common Illnesses Contagious Diseases Lifelong Health Issues Unavoidable Conditions Why Kids Get Sick So Often When To Call The Doctor When To Send Your Child to Daycare Safe Use of Antibiotics		When to Call the Doctor Is it just a cold? Or a virus? How is a parent supposed to know when the aches and pains of childhood are serious and when they just need some Tylenol and chicken soup? Most of the time, if your child isn't acting sick -- no matter how bad they cough, or how runny the nose -- they aren't sick enough for a doctor visit. However, if your normally active child is listless, glassy-eyed, and otherwise "not normal", a call is warranted. If these signs and symptoms are present, call the doctor immediately: High fever, or ANY fever in an infant younger than 4 weeks Chills that make the child shake all over Has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe; makes a whooping sound when she breathes after coughing; makes a wheezing sound when he exhales. Loss of consciousness Extreme sleepiness or unexplained lethargy Listless or cranky Unusual excitement or hysterical crying Sudden weakness or paralysis of any part of the body Seizures (convulsions) or uncontrollable shaking of an arm or leg Severe headache Pain, heaviness, or stuffiness around the nose, eyes, or forehead Nasal fluid that is discolored, bad-smelling, or bloody Sudden hearing loss Earache Fluid discharge from the ear Sudden decrease in vision Eyes that are red, swollen, and watery, with or without blurred vision. Severe or prolonged episode of diarrhea, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain or if the diarrheal stools contain blood. Signs of dehydration including dry lips and tongue, skin that is pale and dry, sunken eyes, listlessness or decreased activity, and decreased urination.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.