Sick Child Appointments in Centennial and Castle Rock, CO

As a parent, keeping your child healthy is your top priority. Whether your little one has a sore throat, your infant has a fever, or your teen is vomiting, you need a trusted pediatrician you can count on. If your child is showing signs of a non-life-threatening illness and you are concerned, please call our office and we will do our best to get your child in as soon as possible.

You can call (303) 779-5437 to schedule an appointment at our pediatric clinic in Centennial or Castle Rock, CO today.

What are the Reasons for a Sick-Child Visit?

Please call our office to come in for a sick child visit if your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

A high fever or one that lasts more than 2-3 days
Vomiting with difficulty keeping fluids down
Widespread rash
Diarrhea lasting more than several days and concerns for decreased urine output
Problems swallowing
Any unusual symptom that lasts for more than 2-3 days in a row
Persistent pain, such as stomach ache, sore throat, headache, or earache

When Your Child Requires the Emergency Room

If your child is suffering from a more serious medical issue or emergency (such as severe dehydration, seizures, respiratory distress) or a serious traumatic injury (such as a motor vehicle or bicycle crash, poisoning, drowning, severe bleeding), please call 911 immediately.

What to Expect at a Sick-Child Appointment

During a sick-child visit, your child’s symptoms will be evaluated and their medical history will be discussed. We will also discuss if you have tried any over-the-counter treatments or other at-home remedies. We will then perform a physical examination, including taking your child’s temperature, listening to their breathing and heartbeat, etc.

After the above, we typically will be able to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. In some cases, your child may need further tests, such as a blood test, throat or nasal swab, or urine analysis, to confirm a diagnosis or rule out certain conditions.

At the end of the appointment, you will be given a prescription for medications if required, along with dosage instructions, and care instructions to help with relieving your child’s symptoms. You may also be provided with possible warning signs and when to seek future medical care

Common Illnesses We Treat

Hand, Foot, and Mouth (HFM)

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection which results in a rash resembling blisters on the hands and feet, along with painful sores inside their mouth. It is most common in infants and young children under the age of five.

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory system. It can also cause high fevers, body aches, and GI symptoms like vomiting. It is caused by influenza viruses, is highly contagious, and it can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus which typically includes mild, cold-like symptoms. While the majority of individuals recuperate within one to two weeks, RSV can lead to serious complications. Infants and elderly adults have a higher likelihood of experiencing severe RSV symptoms necessitating hospitalization.

Ear Infection

An ear infection is an infection that occurs in the space behind the eardrum, from fluid/pus build up causing pain and swelling. They occur most commonly in younger children because they have short and narrow eustachian tubes. They are often preceded by URI symptoms like cough and congestion.

About 80 percent of children develop an acute ear infection at some point. Some 25 percent of all children will have repeated ear infections.

Strep Throat

Strep throat is a highly contagious disease that comes from a bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. It can cause symptoms including a sore throat, pain upon swallowing, fever, spots on the roof of the mouth and back of throat, and more.

Kids and adults alike are susceptible to strep throat. It’s important to seek medical care if your child is experiencing strep symptoms, as untreated cases of strep have the possibility of developing into several serious health problems.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

When the conjunctiva (outer lining of the eyeball) becomes inflamed, it is known as conjunctivitis, or pink eye. There are viral, allergic, bacterial and contact causes for conjunctivitis. A healthy conjunctiva is white, however, when it is inflamed, your child’s eyes can look pink or red.