When Should You Visit the Pediatrician? A Guide to Routine Checkups and Sick Visits

Your pediatrician is a valuable resource to keep your child healthy. It is useful for you to know when to visit the pediatrician for routine checkups and sick visits. Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL, provide various medical services for children, including routine checkups and sick visits.

What You Need To Know About Routine Checkups and Sick Visits

First, let’s look at routine checkups. Your child will visit the pediatrician often, up until the age of two. After age two, routine checkups should happen at least once a year. Routine checkups at least once yearly are required for your child to attend daycare or school. They are also required for your child to play a sport.

During a routine checkup, your pediatrician will:

• Record your child’s height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and other vital information
• Discuss any medical issues, injuries, or illnesses your child has experienced recently
• Perform a physical examination of your child, which also includes the eyes, nose, throat, and ears
• Check your child’s vision and hearing
• Discuss any potential medical issues which may come up when your child attends school
• Administer required and recommended immunizations for your child to attend school

Sick visits are another vital service your pediatrician can provide. You should bring your child in for a sick visit if your child:

• Has a fever lasting longer than 2 days
• Has a fever that is higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit if your child is under 2 months
• Has a fever which is at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit if your child is older
• Is tugging at their ears, which may indicate an ear infection
• Is wiping their eyes, which can appear red, watery, or itchy
• Is having difficulty swallowing, which could be a sign of strep throat
• Is having breathing difficulties, which could indicate asthma
• Is vomiting, which could indicate a gastrointestinal problem
• Has a skin rash that isn’t going away or is getting worse, which could indicate an allergy
• Is experiencing chronic diarrhea or constipation, which could indicate a gastrointestinal problem

Want To Know More About When to Visit the Pediatrician? 

To find out more about when to visit the pediatrician for routine checkups and sick visits, call Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL. You can reach them in the office by calling (708) 364-1600, so call today.