Making Room For Sick Kids
Doctors at Eatons Hill prioritise your little ones by creating appointments to get your sick child seen as soon as possible.
As parents, we worry when our children aren’t well and at Doctors at Eatons Hill we want you to know we are always here for your sick kids.
Childhood illnesses can range in both scope and severity however, years of experience allows us to diagnose and offer treatment to help your child on the road to recovery.
If your child has any of the following illnesses or you have real concerns about your child for any other medical reason, Doctors at Eatons Hill will make a space available for a consultation.
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Diarrhoea and vomiting in babies is much more serious given if they lose too much fluid they can easily become dehydrated. If your baby is less than 6 months old they should always be seen by a doctor if they have diarrhoea or vomiting.
Any child with diarrhoea and vomiting should also be seen by a doctor if :
- They are vomiting and it doesn’t appear they are keeping any fluids down
- The diarrhoea is excessive (8-10 watery poos per day)
- The diarrhoea is not showing improvement after 7-10 days
- They have dry lips and mouth
- Their urine is dark yellow
- There is blood in their poo
- The vomit is green in colour
- There are less wet nappies or they arn’t going to the toilet as much
- They are experiencing dizziness
- They have severe stomach pain
If your child has diarrhoea and vomiting and you are concerned please contact us and we’ll book you in for a same-day appointment where possible.
Whooping Cough
As we know, adults can also get whooping cough, however, infants and younger children are most likely to get seriously ill from this highly contagious respiratory tract infection.
Whooping cough often starts out with cold-like symptoms, over a period of a few days the characteristic cough then starts to develop.
Doctors at Eatons Hill can sometimes prevent the infection spreading by prescribing antibiotics, if treated early enough. However babies under 12 months old are at most risk of complications and often require hospitalisation.
As Whooping Cough is very easy to catch, we recommending vaccinating your baby at two months old. Parents and their older children should get their vaccinations to better protect any babies they are around frequently.
Croup
Coup targets the voice box and windpipe, is usually caused by a viral infection and lasts for around a week or less.
Croup usually starts as a common cold and after a few of days the onset of a barky or raspy cough begins. Symptoms typically get worse at night when the air is colder and you may find your child:
- Has a barking cough
- Finds it difficult to breathe
- Has a wheeze which is worse when breathing out
- Is breathing noisily
This can be a frightening experience for both parents and their child, so don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment.
School Sores – Impetigo
There are many common skin conditions that can affect children.
Impetigo also referred to as school sores is one of these common conditions and it can affect any area of a child’s body. However, it is most commonly found around the nose, hands and mouth due to these area’s being rubbed and touched often. Some babies also have irritation in the nappy area.
If you suspect your child has impetigo we recommend that they seen by a doctor as antibiotics may be required. It is important to note that impetigo is highly contagious which means your child should be kept at home until 24 hours after treatment has started.
Severe Ear Pain
Ear infections occur in children more so than adults and it’s important to understand what to look for if your child can’t yet speak.
- Constant pulling, or tugging at the ear
- Increased crying or fussiness
- Issues falling asleep, or sleeping on a specific side of their head
- Fever – this is common in infants and younger children
- A fluid that is visibly draining from the ear
- Issues with balance or a sudden increase in clumsiness
- Difficulty in hearing or acknowledging quiet sounds or noises
If your child is suffering from any of the above, please contact us and book in an appointment – it is important for us to diagnose and treat your child so we can recommend treatment options if required.
Fevers
If your child is younger than 2 months old, you shouldn’t be giving them medicine for fever unless it has been prescribed or recommended by a doctor.
So, when should you call a doctor?
It depends on your child’s age and the severity of the fever. You should see a health care professional if:
- Your infant is younger than 3 months old with a temperature of 38°C or higher
- Your child is older than 3 months old with a temperature of 39°C or higher
If your child has a fever lower than the above 39°C but also has the following symptoms:
- Long lasting diarrhea or repeated vomiting
- Signs of dehydration
- A fever that remains after 24 hours
- Pain whilst urinating
- Frequent fevers (even if they only last a few hours)
- Other symptoms you are concerned about
At Doctors at Eatons Hill we are very understanding of the stress of having a sick child. As such we make appointments available so they can be seen as soon as possible.
If your child has any of the above symptoms or you have any other pressing concerns with their health – we urge you to call and book an appointment
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