{"id":1211,"date":"2020-10-16T15:37:44","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T15:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/?p=1211"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:14:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:14:49","slug":"5-times-when-your-child-may-need-urgent-pediatric-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/5-times-when-your-child-may-need-urgent-pediatric-care\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Times When Your Child May Need Urgent Pediatric Care"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a parent, you\u2019ve likely encountered the age-old question: Should I call the pediatrician, or will this illness get better on its own? Childhood illnesses are common, but they can be serious if they go untreated. Here are six scenarios that might require the attention of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Florida pediatrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> specialist and how to recognize if it&#8217;s time to call and make that appointment. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>1. Ear Infection<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any child can have an ear infection, but it\u2019s a common occurrence for some children. If your child is one of the unlucky ones, you probably know what to look for. For newbies, the signs can be hard to detect, especially in children who aren\u2019t talking yet. When your toddler doesn&#8217;t appear to be feeling their best, these symptoms may mean it\u2019s time to call the pediatrician:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> An earache, especially when lying down<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Pulling or tugging on an ear<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Unexplained crying<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Sleep problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Loss of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Fussiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Drainage<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Loss of balance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When not treated, ear infections can lead to complications like hearing loss, inflammation, and perforated eardrum, so it doesn&#8217;t hurt to seek help even if you&#8217;re unsure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>2. Fever<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you notice a fever, try to make your child comfortable, offer fluids to prevent dehydration, and call a pediatrician if your child falls into any of these categories:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Sore throat, ear pain, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, or stiff neck<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Fussiness, drowsiness, or looking ill<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Exposure to extreme heat<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Compromised immune system<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> History of seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Temperature of 100.4 or higher in children under 12 weeks<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Temperature above 104 degrees for children of any age<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check with your pediatrician before your child gets sick because they&#8217;re familiar with your child&#8217;s medical history and their suggestions may vary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the child is under 2 years, the fever may last for 24 hours or longer. If it&#8217;s an older child, the fever may persist for three days or longer. Even after the fever comes down, call the doctor if your child still seems ill or if the illness gets worse.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>3. Stomach Ailments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A stomachache is one of the most frequent complaints among children, and it\u2019s often hard to tell what\u2019s causing it, especially in very young children. Causes run the gamut from hunger pangs and gas to stress and constipation. One of the best things parents can do with older children is to ask them to describe the pain and tell them where it\u2019s located. It also helps to touch the belly to see if it makes the pain worse. If you don\u2019t have an explanation and the pain doesn\u2019t go away, it\u2019s time to call the pediatrician.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These questions may help you find the cause and explain the pain to the doctor:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Is the pain quickly getting worse?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Does it hurt more when the child walks or jumps?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Is the child constipated?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Is the pain in the lower abdomen or bladder area?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Does the urine smell or look different?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Has bedwetting increased?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Is the stomach pain accompanied by a sore throat, fever, rash, headache, or vomiting?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Does it hurt when you touch between the belly button and the right side?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If there is a tender belly, fever, or vomiting and the child doesn\u2019t want to eat, check with a medical source like an<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcareers.nhs.uk\/explore-roles\/doctors\/roles-doctors\/paediatrics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> advanced pediatrics <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">specialist in Florida to see if you need to go to the ER to rule out appendicitis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1213 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache.jpg\" alt=\"A Child With a Stomachache\" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2020\/10\/A-Child-With-a-Stomachache.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>4. Falls<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No matter how careful you are, it only takes a second for a child to fall and get hurt. Minor injuries usually resolve on their own, but they still require monitoring. Even if the fall doesn&#8217;t seem to be bad, look for these warning signs to determine when it&#8217;s necessary to call a doctor:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Loss of consciousness<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Seizure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Loss of balance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A spongy bump on the head<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s better to call the pediatrician when it isn\u2019t necessary than to risk leaving a serious injury untreated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Falls can be prevented by putting safety gates on stairs and guards on windows to keep young children safe. It also helps to have a soft surface below playground equipment and use the proper pads, guards, and helmets when playing sports. Keeping a close watch and removing hazards makes any area safer for kids. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>5. Cough<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Children, especially young ones, frequently have coughs and runny noses. If there\u2019s coughing with no fever, breathing is normal, and the child is their usual self, it\u2019s probably safe to wait a few days to check in with the pediatrician. Take simple measures, like using a humidifier or running a hot shower while you sit nearby and hold the child, or use nasal saline or a suction device to clear the nostrils to increase comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your child is a newborn, or if the illness is getting worse for your older child, it might be a good idea to check in with the pediatrician. Other warning signs to see a doctor include difficulty breathing, a fever that persists, or chest pain. Children under 3 years old are at risk of developing croup because their airways haven&#8217;t fully developed. The better you can describe your child&#8217;s cough, the easier it will be for the pediatrician to know what&#8217;s wrong, so be sure to keep a close eye on your little one.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>We Can Help<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you&#8217;re looking for a Florida pediatrics specialist, we have the best pediatrician in Miami. Dr. Ana received her degree from the University of Miami and has over 20 years of experience working with children. She is currently seeing patients ranging in age from newborn to 18 in person or by telemedicine. She can recognize, diagnose, and treat childhood illnesses, helping your child live a happier, more productive life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Contact us today to schedule an appointment or get more information.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a parent, you\u2019ve likely encountered the age-old question: Should I call the pediatrician, or will this illness get better on its own? Childhood illnesses are common, but they can be serious if they go untreated. Here are six scenarios that might require the attention of a Florida pediatrics specialist and how to recognize if  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[78],"tags":[55,79],"class_list":["post-1211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-urgent-pediatric-care","tag-advanced-pediatrics","tag-florida-pediatrics"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1211"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}