Sick Visits
When Your Child Is Sick
It is important to have prompt medical attention that helps them feel better and gets them on the road to healing. We understand the parents’ worry and offer same-day sick visits to quickly start the 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 our office so we can talk about your child’s symptoms and schedule a visit based on their health needs.
Sick Visits Q & A
What is the purpose of sick visits?
Sick visits are appointments you schedule when your child feels unwell or suffers an injury. They help address acute (short-term) health concerns and prevent complications. An infection, virus, or injury can damage your child’s health and well-being without timely treatment. Sick visits ensure that your child receives prompt and appropriate medical attention.
What is the difference between well and sick visits?
Well and sick visits serve different purposes. Well visits help monitor your child’s growth and development when they show no signs of illness. These appointments help ensure your child reaches their expected milestones. Regular well visits also help identify early signs of disease and risk factors that may require further investigation or intervention.
Sick visits specifically address your child’s acute health care needs. They focus on diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries quickly and efficiently to protect your child’s health.
Both types of care are crucial to maintain your child's overall well-being and ensure that we meet their health care needs at different stages — well visits are for preventive care and monitoring, and sick visits are for immediate intervention and treatment when health concerns arise.
Should I schedule sick visits any time my child doesn’t feel well?
Many minor illnesses and injuries are manageable with home care, but when you are having any concerns that are not resolved on your own, you should always consider making an appointment.
A sick visit allows us to evaluate your child, diagnose their condition, and provide the appropriate interventions in a timely manner. If your child’s condition is manageable at home, we may recommend rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications to reduce their symptoms. On many occasions, you might just need a firm reassurance from your trusted doctor that your child is not having a serious illness and that they will be just fine, which makes the appointment all worthwhile.
How do I know if my child needs sick visits?
Common signs that your child may benefit from a sick visit include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Persistent cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Low appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
If your child has any of the above symptoms for longer than a few days, they may need a comprehensive medical evaluation and diagnostic tests to uncover the cause and receive the appropriate treatment.