When Should You Take Your Child to the Doctor During COVID

During COVID, most parents want to only seek medical attention for their child if it’s absolutely necessary. Although some parents are quick to visit urgent care or their child’s pediatrician, longer wait times, and the risk of contracting COVID make it important at home. However, it’s still important to be aware of when you should take your child to the doctor during COVID to ensure you continue to provide them with proper care as they grow and develop.

 

Difficulty Breathing

 

Difficulty breathing is not only uncomfortable for the child but can put their life at risk. Although it’s normal to develop a cough when they get sick, their breathing can become labored if the coughing persists for more than a week. You may notice that they start to wheeze or have shortness of breath, making it necessary to seek medical treatment immediately. In some cases, influenza can develop into bronchitis and leads to an infection in the lungs, which can put the child at risk of developing pneumonia if they don’t receive proper care.

 

Unusual Changes in Behavior

 

Kids often have a change in their behavior when their health starts to suffer and they’re not feeling well. They can have a lack of energy and aren’t as physically active throughout the day. You may find it difficult to motivate them to complete their schoolwork, or they may no longer seem happy or upbeat. An underlying medical condition can cause their mood to change, making it necessary to monitor their behavior. The changes in the child’s personal life can also affect their mood if they don’t have enough social contact with their peers during COVID.

 

Unusual Sleepiness

 

Although it’s common and healthy to sleep throughout the day when a child is sick, they should start to regain their energy after two to three days. Sleeping is recommended to help the child’s body start to heal and recover from their current ailment, but they should still be waking up for a few hours each day to eat, watch TV, or rest on the couch. Unusual sleepiness that lasts for more than a week needs the attention of a medical professional to evaluate the patient for proper treatment.

 

Hearing and Vision Screenings

 

Routine checkups are still important for your child to receive to ensure there are no issues with their growth and development. They may also be required to undergo hearing and vision screenings for daycare or school. Although it may not always be necessary to visit the doctor during a pandemic, monitoring your child’s development is still crucial to ensure they thrive and any issues can be treated or diagnosed early on in life.

 

Persistent Bleeding

 

If your child becomes injured and starts to bleed, you’ll need to visit the doctor if the bleeding doesn’t stop or subside after a few minutes. Most minor injuries stop bleeding after applying pressure to the affected area for a few minutes, but if the bleeding persists then it may require stitches. You also need to visit a medical professional if the injury affects the child’s ability to walk or perform normal activities throughout the day.

 

Newborn Visits

 

It’s important to visit the pediatrician after you’ve had a newborn baby to monitor their growth and vital signs in the first few weeks and months of their life. Newborn babies are vulnerable and should be seen by their pediatrician on a consistent basis to ensure any potential issues are quickly detected.

 

Knowing when you should take your child to the doctor during COVID can offer peace of mind and prevent you from visiting the medical offices when it’s not necessary. Understanding when your child should be evaluated by a medical professional will help you to think quickly when they’ve developed an illness or are suffering from an injury without second guessing yourself.