As a parent, you should always keep an eye out for your child and make sure they don’t unintentionally hurt themselves.
How will you know if your child needs emergency medical care? When do you slap on a bandaid and when do you head to the nearest urgent care center?
All parents should be aware of these as accidents do not choose a time, a place, or a person when they happen.
If you are a new parent who constantly worries about the safety of their child (don’t worry, this is perfectly normal), this post will give you the answers you are looking for.
Below are 5 signs your child needs immediate medical attention:
1. Breathing issues
If you notice your child having difficulties in breathing, taking staggered breaths or turning blue, it is best to take them to the nearest hospital. Regardless of their age, respiratory problems should never be taken lightly.
2. Severe dehydration
Should your child catch a stomach flu bug, they may vomit, have diarrhea and have trouble keeping down food and liquids they consume. If they keep vomiting to the point of severe dehydration, take them to the nearest emergency room immediately.
3. Major bone breaks
Minor bone breaks can be handled by an urgent care center. However, for more serious breaks where the area is disfigured or the bone pierces the skin, it is important to secure the limb of your child and take them to the emergency room for treatment. Keep in mind that time is of the essence in these cases because of the blood loss.
4. Fever that is abnormally high and won’t pass
Fevers are normal for children who get sick. However, they should pass after some over-the-counter paracetamol or after 24 hours. If the fever does not go away and is abnormally high, visit the nearest emergency room for a workup.
5. Delirium or non-responsiveness
Lastly, if your child is showing signs of mental confusion, is visibly lethargic and no-responsive when you try to interact with them, these may be signs of serious medical conditions. Taking them to an emergency room the soonest possible time will help you know what is wrong.
