Parents concerns!

4 steps to assess the condition of your sick child

The joy of being parents! It means pride and happiness but also some moments of concern that may show up.

When babies make their entrance into our lives, concerns arise as soon as we notice that their nose runs, that the eyes have thick secretions, or there is a fever, there are skin rashes, etc.. And then we no longer know what to do!

Here comes the problem of finding a doctor! When we have one, it's fantastic because we know that this is a rare commodity! A family doctor can monitor your baby from birth and notice any minor health problems. Pediatricians are specialists in childhood diseases, therefore if your child is healthy, it will be easier for you to find a general practitioner that a pediatrician. If in your area, there is an FMG (Family Medicine Group), it is important to register as soon as possible, as this will give you access to more resources when needed.

But when our child is showing signs of illness, that our family physician can not see you before a month, that the walk-in clinic is already crowded, who we turn to? Emergencies? Whew! Sailing for several hours waiting with other children and people who have preliminary symptoms of all kinds and can infect you or your baby doesn’t sound very appealing.

It is important to know that it is imperative to see a doctor if your child is less than 6 months and has fever. It’s also necessary for all young children with fever for more than 48 hours, or if your kid is excessively cranky or irritable, excessively tired, lethargic, or does not respond, has a wheezing or persistent cough, a fever and rash or other signs of illness that worry you.

Here is a quick overview of what you need to evaluate in order to make a good decision. Listen to your child and watch carefully. Is there a change in his(her) breathing or reactions? Does he(she) seem dehydrated or apathetic? The signs that follow will help you decide whether to bring your child to the emergency or not:

• Color of skin: The skin of your child is paler than usual.
  
• Hydration: Your child's lack of saliva, no tears when crying, or less urine than usual.
  
• Breathing: Your child has difficulty breathing. His or her breathing is not as usual.
  
• Reaction: your child shows signs of apathy, lethargy or irritability. How your child responds changed. How your child reacts to visual or auditory stimuli has changed.

Nicole Robert, inf., b.a., b.sc.
www.AuxSoinsDesPetits.com