Pediatrics
We provide medical attention for infants 1 year and older. This includes treatment for common illness and injury.
Seasonal Flu
The influenza (flu) virus is a very contagious virus which affects the respiratory and intestinal systems. Our experienced healthcare providers know that when your child has the flu, it can be a stressful time. We are here to assist you with the proper treatment depending on the age of your child. If you believe your child is suffering from the flu and they are experiencing fever, chills, nasal congestion, cough, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms bring them to our facility for a rapid flu test. If they test positive, we may provide you with a prescription for an antiviral that can be easily picked up at your local pharmacy. NSAIDs as well as cold and cough medication can only be offered to children of a certain age, please ask one of our practitioners if certain OTC medications are appropriate for your child to take. Plenty of rest and fluids is necessary to help your child feel better. If they develop a fever of 104ºF or higher, it would be a good idea to seek medical attention at your local emergency room.
Rashes and Dermatitis
Skin rashes and contact dermatitis are very typical in the younger population. Our healthcare professionals will help you find the cause of the rash, this is the first step of treatment. Most rashes can be caused by irritants like poison ivy, chemicals, soaps, jewelry, a viral infection, or household allergens such as dust or pets. You should head right to the emergency room or call 911 if you believe the patient is suffering from a severe allergy that is putting them at risk for anaphylaxis, a serious life-threatening condition. We will help determine what is causing the rash; washing with mild soap and warm water in addition to a prescribed topical may be the answer. If an allergy or viral infection is suspected, or if the rash is recurring, we may refer you to a specialist for further testing.
Sprains
Sprains can be very painful and feel as if you broke a bone. We provide compassionate medical care to children in such distress. We have a nearby imaging center we refer our patients to. This will help you determine if the pain is being caused by a fracture or a sprain. Our office will provide OTC anti-inflammatory medication as well as stabilization of the injury. We encourage parents to practice the RICE method at home, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. We will provide support and education on how to properly “compress” or “wrap” the sprain.
Minor Cuts
Only seek medical attention for a cut at an urgent care if the wound is non-life threatening. One of our experienced staff members will access your wound, sanitize, and numb the area and stitch the wound if we determine stitches are necessary. You may also be prescribed an antibiotic, depending on how you got the wound was inflicted. Seek medical attention from your local emergency room if you can see your bone, fat, or muscle, if blood is spilling out and won’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure, if you have been cut by a rusty object, or the amputation was sustained during your injury.
Eye, Ear, Throat Infection
Ear, eye, and throat infections are very typical in our younger population and can be caused by several infectious agents. If you believe the patient is suffering from an ear infection, we will use our otoscope to look deeper into the ears and determine if there is an infection. Antibiotics are only prescribed for severe ear infections; mild ones can be treated at home with over-the-counter medication (depending on age! Ask one of our providers for advice). Warm compresses on the ear, hydration, and elevation of the head will aid in the relief illness at home. Eye infections are also very common, if the eye is discharging yellow or green, the eyelids are stuck together, and the pus keeps coming back after being wiped away, there is most likely an infection of the eye. Antibacterial eyedrops maybe prescribed, speak to one of our healthcare professionals about OTC medications, and a warm cloth may be used to gently remove pus and crust from the eye. Throat infections are also common, and a strep test will be performed at our location if you’re the patient is suffering from a sore throat and fever, with white patches or stripes in the back of the throat and tonsils. If the strep test is positive antibiotics will be prescribed if strep is negative, the sore throat is most likely caused by a virus and selfcare at home will begin the healing process.
Bronchiolitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the air pathways in the lungs, it causes coughing, fever, and runny noses. Bronchitis usually gets better on its own with selfcare at home. Including rest, hydration, and OTC medications. Viral bronchitis will clear up on its own. Antibiotics would only be prescribed for children suffering from bacterial bronchitis. We will listen to the patients’ lungs and take a pulse ox reading to determine proper oxygen saturation within the body. Our providers will offer information regarding which medications you should give your child. Honey is sometimes used as a natural remedy for coughs but should not be given to infants under 1 year of age. If the patient begins showing signs of cyanosis (bluing of skin), they begin to cough up blood, or wheezing and trouble breathing is getting worse, seek immediate medical attention from a local emergency room. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) presents in children with similar symptoms as bronchitis. RSV is also caused by a virus and thus cannot be treated with antibiotics. It typically affects children and causes mild to moderate symptoms such as congestion or runny nose, dry cough, sore throat, low-grade fever, sneezing, and headache. Treatment for RSV is the same as the treatment for bronchitis. OTC medication which is approved by your doctor as well as self-care techniques practiced at home. Hospital intervention is not necessary unless serious symptoms begin to develop. Upper respiratory infections resemble the same symptoms as RSV and bronchitis. URIs usually resolve on their own the rest and hydration. Croup is characterized as a URI but presentation in children is different than RSV and bronchitis. When a child has croup there is an infection in the upper airway that obstructs breathing and causes a barking cough. The obvious signs of Croup are labored breathing, hoarse voice, fever, and a barking cough that is easily aggravated. When a patient has croup, they typically recover at home within 3-5 days. Go to the emergency room is the patient has croup and is making a high pitch noise when inhaling, begins drooling due to difficulty swallowing, seems anxious/agitated/fatigued, fast breathing rate, struggling to breath, or develops cyanosis.
Minor Gastrointestinal Illness
Gastrointestinal Illness can be caused by virus, bacteria, or parasites and can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, and limited appetite which could lead to dehydration. Our provider will develop a diagnosis based on history of exposure. The most common treatment option for gastrointestinal symptoms is rehydration. We will determine if the GI issues are causing severe dehydration and need possible use of intravenous rehydration. Antidiarrheals and antibiotics are rarely used to help clear up GI infections and symptoms.
Did you know...
some sprains and strains – such as those caused by falling on a foot or twisting a knee – are accidental and difficult to prevent. Others – such as those caused by lifting heavy objects the wrong way – can be prevented with proper training. The National Institutes of Health recommend stretching prior to physical activity, as well as wearing protective equipment during play to prevent sports injuries. It is also important to avoid overuse injuries by taking the time to rest tired and sore muscles.
