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While some childhood ailments resolve on their own with basic home care, it's important to recognize when your child's condition requires medical attention.
Our team at Southfield Pediatrics in Bingham Farms and Novi, Michigan, partners with parents to provide optimal health care services for your child, from infancy through adolescence.
We’re happy to provide information about how to identify situations and symptoms that may indicate your child needs same-day medical care.
Follow these guidelines for calling the office:
One of the common reasons to seek immediate medical attention is a high fever. While a mild fever is often a sign of the body fighting off an infection, a fever above 100.4°F (38°C) in infants younger than three months or above 102°F (38.9°C) in older children should be taken seriously.
Additionally, if your child's fever is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms like lethargy, difficulty breathing, or a rash, our Southfield Pediatrics team recommends a same-day doctor visit.
If your child is experiencing moderate to severe or persistent pain, it's crucial to consult a doctor promptly. Persistent or worsening abdominal pain, headache, earache, or any other pain that interferes with your child's daily activities may indicate an underlying condition that requires quick medical attention.
Breathing difficulties in children should never be ignored. If your child is struggling to breathe, has rapid breathing, is wheezing, or shows signs of respiratory distress, seek medical help immediately.
These symptoms could indicate a severe respiratory infection, asthma exacerbation, or an allergic reaction requiring immediate evaluation and treatment.
Children are more susceptible to dehydration, especially when they are unwell, vomiting, or experiencing diarrhea.
Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, lethargy, decreased urine output, and sunken eyes. If you notice these symptoms in your child, consult our office promptly to prevent further complications.
We also recommend monitoring your child’s fluid intake when they’re sick. If your child struggles to maintain good hydration, call us before they develop noticeable symptoms since treatment can prevent worsening illness.
Schedule a same-day visit if your child has a known allergy and develops new or worsening symptoms, such as a widespread rash or worsening congestion, despite their standard allergy care.
Symptoms like difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat require urgent medical attention. In that case, your child could be experiencing anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
While occasional episodes of vomiting or diarrhea may not be cause for alarm, persistent or severe symptoms can lead to dehydration and other complications.
Our Southfield Pediatrics team recommends a same-day visit if your child cannot keep fluids down, shows signs of dehydration, or has been experiencing diarrhea for more than a day or two.
If your child has sustained a significant injury or trauma, such as a head injury, deep cut, broken bone, or moderate to severe burn, they should be seen promptly. In such cases, it's better to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Otherwise, we always recommend that Southfield Pediatrics parents trust their instincts and call the office whenever they’re concerned about a child’s health.
Our phone nurses can answer questions and assess your child’s symptoms, checking with our pediatricians when necessary when recommending action. You can help by listing your child’s symptoms, the home treatments you’ve provided, and your child’s response.
Schedule an evaluation today by calling the Southfield Pediatrics office or requesting an appointment online.
