Sick Child Visits
When Your Child Is Sick
It is important to have prompt medical attention that helps your child feel better and get on the road to healing. We understand parents’ worry and offer same-day sick visits to quickly start any treatment your child needs.
If you have questions about your child’s health or you need to bring your child in for a sick visit, call the office so they can talk about your child’s symptoms and schedule a visit based on their health needs. We can also schedule certain sick visit online through the MyChart portal.
Sick Child Appointments in Centennial and Castle Rock, CO
As a parent, keeping your child healthy is your top priority. Whether your child 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 any fluids down and concerns for decreased urine output
- 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 cold-like symptoms. While the majority of individuals improve 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 middle ear (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.
Sick-Child Appointments in Centennial and Castle Rock
Sick appointments during the week
To make an appointment for a sick child, please call (303) 779-5437. The more information you can provide us upfront, the better we can serve your child. This allows us to determine the severity of their illness, and schedule appropriately.
Our office hours on weekdays are as follows:
- Monday-Friday: 8:30AM-5PM in both offices
Sick appointments on weekends
Our office hours on weekends are as follows:
- Saturday: 8:30AM-12PM in our Centennial office
Round-the-clock triage help
If you are trying to contact our office during non-business hours for urgent matters, please call our after hours triage line at (303) 779-5437.
If you don’t believe the severity of the illness is enough to require a sick child visit in the office, you can refer to our online sources.
Sick Child Visits FAQs
Click below to view the answer to commonly asked questions.
When Can I Schedule a Sick Visit?
If you’re ever in doubt about whether your child needs a sick visit, call our office. Our staff asks a few questions to determine the severity of your child’s symptoms, and then helps you decide if you need to come into the office.
You can schedule same-day sick visits any time the office is open, which includes every weekday and Saturday mornings.
What Happens During a Sick Child Visit?
The goal of a sick child visit is to quickly diagnose the problem and start treatment that will help your child feel more comfortable. In addition to reviewing your child’s symptoms and medical history, a sick visit may include blood tests, a urine test, nasal or throat swabs and a physical exam that includes checking your child’s heart, neck, throat, and ears.
What Children's Conditions Can a Sick Visit Treat?
Sick visits treat many types of injuries and illnesses that need same-day or next-day medical care. Children’s symptoms can change quickly, so don’t hesitate to call if your child’s symptoms get worse.
The following are some of the most common conditions treated during sick visits:
- Flu/Upper respiratory infections
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Sore throat or strep throat
- Congestion
- Coughs
- Abdominal pain
- Asthma
- Rashes or hives
- Allergic reactions
- Eye discharge or infection
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Injuries
When Does My Child Need Immediate Medical Care?
While all the conditions often treated during a sick visit have the potential to need immediate care, some symptoms are red flags that your child needs quick medical attention.
Call us immediately for the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4ºF or higher in infants younger than three months old
- Fever that lasts longer than three days
- Unusual symptoms lasting more than three days
- Persistent pain
- Widespread rash
- Fever of 102ºF or higher plus other symptoms in children over one-year-old
Other symptoms that may appear with a fever that signal a potentially serious problem include a rash, stiff neck, vomiting, and headache.
When your child is sick, call the office as early in the day as possible so they can schedule a same-day visit if necessary.
If you have questions about your child’s symptoms or you need to schedule a sick visit, call our office or book an appointment online.
