All children under the age of two are expected to have 6-10 illnesses of one sort or another per year. Most are self-limited and require little intervention from the doctor. For those that do, most can wait until the office opens in the morning.
However, urgent situations and illnesses do arise and you will need to contact us. These include:
- Trauma, like lacerations, burns, significant bleeding or head injury
- Choking
- Convulsions with or without fever
- Difficulty breathing (not simple nasal congestion)
- Refusal to walk or use arm
- Sick newborn (fever greater than 100.5 degrees rectally, under 2 months of age, extreme irritability, poor feeding, extreme sleepiness)
- Severe pain
- Tender testicle or scrotum
- Sudden onset of drooling or inability to swallow
- Stiff neck or injured neck
- Dehydration (body fluids low inside of mouth dry, has not passed urine in more than 8 hours)
- Fever greater then 104.5 degrees
- Any situation where the child is very different from his or her normal self
When it is necessary to call after hours, please have the following information ready for the doctor:
- The name of the child and approximate weight
- Symptoms (i.e. fever, ear pain, vomiting, etc.)
- Fever: Measured, (not "feels warm") and how it was measured
- Drug allergies
- What medications you have given, how much and when
Remember, much of parenting is common sense. During Well Child visits, our doctors and staff will assist you in acquiring the necessary skills to manage most of the common childhood illnesses. We have a wealth of information and patient instructions which we will gladly provide at your request, just ask about topics of concern or interest.
You, as a parent, are a valuable member of your child's health care team at Mountain View Pediatrics. We look forward to a long, healthy and happy relationship with your family.