Parents of infants and toddlers make multiple essential visits to the pediatrician. These visits become fewer as children get older. Between multiple essential and emergency visits, it can be helpful to know when you can actually avoid seeing the pediatrician.

But first, you need a good pediatrician. If you are yet to find a pediatrician, use online searches to your advantage. Use location-based keywords; such as pediatricians in Jacksonville. Research well before choosing your child’s doctor. Use discretion even if you get a name via a referral.

Signs When to See a Pediatrician Immediately

Illnesses

Fever: When your child’s fever is higher than 100 degrees F or more and lasts for more than 12 hours; call your pediatrician immediately. Fever is always a symptom of another health problem. So, if the fever persists, your child may be sick.

If your child has a fever but is otherwise active and feeding, as usual, you may not need to see the doctor immediately. Call and let the doctor know about the fever. Your pediatrician will recommend steps to take to manage the fever.

Continue to monitor the fever and your child’s behavior. If it persists, visit the pediatrician.

Cold: If your child’s cold persists for more than 24 hours, schedule a visit with the pediatrician.

Coughing: Fever can be accompanied by coughing. If it persists, see the child’s doctor without delay.

Discharges: If you notice unusual discharges from the eyes, nose, ears, or even the genitals of your child; see the pediatrician immediately. Eye or nose discharges can be accompanied by fever and cold.

Diarrhea and/or vomiting: Both of these can be signs of an infection. If your child has more than three episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea; see the pediatrician immediately.

Fussiness: Common in infants; it can indicate another problem such as colic, fever, or pain. If it persists for a few hours, especially with non-stop crying and/or with appetite loss, see the pediatrician immediately.

Lethargy: It can be indicative of an underlying medical problem. If lethargy persists for more than a few hours, schedule an emergency visit with the pediatrician immediately.

Difficulty in breathing: If your child starts to have trouble breathing with or without any fever or cold; see the doctor without delay. If the child is breathing rather quickly than usual, this also warrants a visit to the doctor.

Other Emergencies

Burns, cuts, and injuries qualify as emergencies. Refrain from tending to your child’s burns or cuts at home. You can do more harm than good. Infections can set in if bandages are not clean or the wound has been tended to properly.

Injuries without blood also warrant a visit to the pediatrician. The doctor can rule out any internal bleeding or injuries. Try to stop the bleeding by putting a clean cloth over the cut and applying pressure over it or as instructed by your pediatrician’s office. This should help to stop the bleeding during your commute to the clinic.

If a foreign object gets stuck anywhere in the child’s body, visit the pediatrician without delay.

If you suspect poisoning or if your child accidentally ingests a toxic material; rush to the doctor. Call the clinic before you go.

Perform any emergency steps your pediatrician recommends to help your child.

If you notice unusual rashes on your child’s body, it can indicate an infection or allergic reaction. See your pediatrician immediately in such cases.

Behavioral Problems

If your child is showing signs of behavioral problems or aggression, see your pediatrician without delay.

It is likely that by the time you notice this behavior change, it has been a while since your child has been displaying them.

Behavioral problems can be signs of a medical condition (physical or mental) or hormonal changes. Either way; your pediatrician can recommend the right course of action before the problems worsen.

Parental Intuition

Do not ignore your intuition. If you think your child needs to see a doctor, do not hesitate to do so despite any guidelines (such as these or any other) or even your doctor’s usual recommendations.

Utilize keywords like pediatricians in Jacksonville, if needed, to find a good doctor for your child.