Sick Visits

Illness is always an unpleasant experience.  Even worse is the illness of a child.  In addition to the child’s discomfort, it is very upsetting and stressful for parents.  We’re here to help!  If your child is ill, do not hesitate to call with questions or concerns.  If your child needs to be seen, we will work with you to make the most expeditious arrangements possible.

Sick visits require a phone call from you on the day of the visit.  As a general rule, we do not book these appointments prior to the day of the visit.  This allows us to appropriately schedule throughout the course of the day.

Most days, there are appointments available from 8 to 9 A.M. for acutely ill children.  The receptionists start answering the phone to schedule these slots at 7:30 A.M.

We ask that you please make every effort to arrive on time for your appointments.  If, for whatever reason, you are unable to keep your appointment, please call and let us know so we can plan accordingly.  If you are going to be late, please call so appropriate arrangements can be made, be it adjustment of the schedule, or rescheduling of the appointment.

Beginning February 1st, 2013 no-shows will be charged a $50 fee.

While we strive to see all patients in a timely manner, unforeseen circumstances, including emergencies sometimes occur.  On these rare occasions, we appreciate your understanding.

Fever- Fact Versus Myths

By: Barton D. Schmitt, MD; and Paul A. Offit, MD

Definition

• Fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher
• Fever is a symptom, not a disease
• It happens whenever your child gets a new infection
• Fever helps fight the infection by turning on the immune system

 Health Information

 Fever Phobia

• Parents often think fever with hurt their child.  They worry and lose sleep when their child has a fever.  This is called a phobia
• In fact, fevers are harmless.  Here are some of the myths that cause fever phobia.

Fever Myths

• All fevers are bad for children.
• Fevers can cause brain damage.
• If the fever is high, the cause is serious.
• All fevers need to be treated with fever medicine.
• Without treatment, fevers will keep going higher.
• If you can’t “break the fever”, the cause is serious.
• Treating the fever will make the infection go away faster.

 Care Advice

 Facts About Fever that Every Parent Should Know

• 1.Fevers are temperatures 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
• Temperatures below 100.4 F (38 C) are normal.  They are not a fever.  The body temperature normally goes up during the day and comes down during the night.  Don’t make the mistake of treating normal temps.
• Fevers 100.4 to 102 F (38-39 C) are low grade fevers.  Many doctors and nurses call them “good fevers”
• Fever helps the body fight infections.  It turns on the body’s immune system.  Fever is a defense response found in all animals.  Fevers between 100 and 104 F actually help sick children get better.
• High fevers are 104 F (40 C) or higher.  While we call them “high” they are not harmful.
• Most fevers with infections stay below 104 F (40 C).  Reason: the brain has a thermostat that keeps the body at the best temperature to fight germs. They sometimes go to 105 F (40.6 C), but that temp is also harmless.
• Fevers from infections don’t cause “brain damage”.  Only fevers above 108 F (42 C) can cause brain damage.  Temperatures that high are very rare.  An example would be a child left in a closed car during hot weather.
• Seizures triggered by fever are uncommon.  Only 4% of children can have a seizure from fever.  While these seizures are scary to watch, most stop within 2 minutes.  And they don’t cause any permanent harm, such as learning problems or seizures without fever.
• Most fevers with viral infections last 2 or 3 days.  The fever will go away and not return once the body overpowers the virus.  Most often, this is day 3 or 4.  When using fever medicines, expect the fever to keep coming back after the medicine wears off.  That’s normal.
• If your child is well and feels warm to the touch, they probably do not have a fever. If you want to be sure, take their temperature.  But you don’t need to keep taking it.
• 11.Summary: Look at your child, not the thermometer.  How your child looks is what’s important.  The exact temperature number is not.  If your child looks or acts sick, the cause is more likely to be serious.  But the level of fever tells us very little.  Viruses and bacteria can both cause high fevers.

 Treatment of Fever: When to Give Fever Medicines

1. Doctors and nurses don’t always agree on when to treat fevers.  Here are some general guidelines.
2. Fevers only need to be treated if they cause discomfort.  Most fevers don’t cause any discomfort until they go above 104 F (40 C).  Discomfort at a lower fever is probably due to some pain (such as from a sore throat).
3. Start medicines for fevers only if higher that 102 F (39 C).  Remember that fevers are needed to fight infection.
4. Treat fevers with one fever medicine.   Use either acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen, in the correct dosage.  Don’t give both fever medicines together.  Reason: it is not needed.  Remember, fever is helping your child’s body fight the infection.
5. With treatment, most fever come down about 2 degrees F (about 1 degree C).  They often don’t come down to normal.  That’s fine.  When the fever medicine wears off, expect the fever to go up again.  That’s also normal.
6. If your child’s doctor tells you to treat fevers differently, follow their advice.

 

Call your Doctor if

• You have any other questions or concerns

 

 

Pediatric Care Advice

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Diclaimer: This health information is for educations purposes only.  You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.