But what happens if your child breaks a bone, gets stung by a bee, or is having an asthma attack? Is it still safe to seek emergency medical care for non-COVID-19 issues? The key is knowing what level of care your child needs—whether it’s from the emergency room, urgent care, or a call to the pediatrician—and then responding appropriately. Here are some general guidelines.
Minor Medical Issues
For the most part, it’s probably best to avoid urgent care and doctor’s offices if you can. Not only are these places overwhelmed, but there’s a higher chance of being exposed to the coronavirus than there is at home. Plus, your wait time may be astronomical if your situation is not life-threatening. Typically, a nurse can answer your questions or schedule a telehealth visit with the doctor if needed. From there, your child can be prescribed medications and offered treatment options without ever entering an office or an urgent care facility. It not only saves you time, but it also eliminates your risk of exposure to the coronavirus. Depending on where you live, your doctor may or may not be seeing patients for minor health concerns. So, it’s always best to call first. Call your pediatrician’s office before going to urgent care for:
Allergies and sinus infections Anxiety, depression, or mental health complaints Cough and cold symptoms Insect bites and rashes (unless having an allergic reaction) Management for pre-existing conditions Minor cuts and abrasions Minor eye infections and earaches Minor sprains, strains, and aches Upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea Sore throat Urinary tract infections
Understanding Telehealth Services
When medical issues aren’t considered an emergency, many healthcare providers are now using telehealth visits to diagnose minor illnesses and medical conditions. Ask your child’s pediatrician if they are offering this type of service. If not, you also can use a local telemedicine provider if your child’s doctor doesn’t offer this service. These virtual providers—all of which are licensed to treat patients—can provide medical advice and diagnose certain conditions. They can also dispense certain drugs without having to come in contact with you or your child. Just be sure that you select a provider that is trained to treat children. Additionally, some telehealth providers use special cameras and other devices like blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and pulse oximeters to help examine your child. Be sure the equipment they are using is designed for children. Using adult-size equipment could provide incorrect information. Lastly, be sure that you share any information regarding your telehealth visit with your pediatrician, including medications that were prescribed. You want to be sure that there is a continuity of care for your child. Ideally, your pediatrician and your telehealth provider will work together.
Major Medical Issues
Of course, there may situations that require emergency medical care and you should never delay reaching out for help. If you or your child are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, it’s important that you call 9-1-1 right away. Some examples of these types of emergencies include:
Severe allergic reactions that involve anaphylaxis Difficulty breathing Choking Accidental overdoses or poisonings Passing out or fainting spells Dizziness or seizures Severe burns Broken or dislocated bones with clear deformities Head injuries especially with the loss of consciousness or confusion Neck or spinal injuries Deep wounds Heavy bleeding Suicidal ideation Pregnancy-related complications Severe chest pain or pressure Signs of a stroke such as sudden weakness on one side of the body
Call Ahead
There also are times when you should still visit an emergency room, but you may not need to call 9-1-1 as a means of getting there. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may want to call first to be sure the hospital you are headed to can treat you. What’s more, some hospital emergency rooms have closed their waiting rooms and require patients to call first for special instructions. Some examples of conditions that need to addressed by emergency room personnel include:
Burns Coughing up blood Cuts or lacerations that may require stitches Foreign objects in the skin Severe stomach pain Suspected broken bones Suspected concussions Severe or persistent vomiting
Don’t Hesitate to Take Necessary Action
While it’s important to be cautious about getting or spreading the coronavirus, a number of doctors are worried that people who desperately need emergency medical care are delaying treatment out of fear. In fact, a letter from physicians in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality Outcomes reported that people were delaying treatment in the wake of the coronavirus, despite having symptoms of a heart attack. Remember, every minute that you delay, you are increasing the chances that you or your child will experience a worse outcome. Rest assured that the healthcare professionals treating you will be doing everything they can to keep you from getting exposed. You don’t want to put your child’s health at risk because you’re afraid of being exposed to the coronavirus.
How to Be Prepared
Because these are uncertain times right now, it’s important that you do your best to be prepared for a variety of scenarios so that you can respond appropriately. Here are some things you can do now to prepare for any medical issues that may crop up.
Gather Information
It’s a good idea to have the numbers for your child’s pediatrician, allergist, eye doctor, dentist, and other medical or mental health professionals all in one location. Also, keep a list of medications nearby as well as the name and number of your local pharmacy. You may even want to have a credit card or HSA card on hand in case they ask for your co-pay upfront. Having all this information in one spot saves you time when you’re on the phone with your doctor. You won’t have to search for any important information.
Assemble a First Aid Kit
Because it’s challenging to run out when you need something, it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit all ready to go in your home. Aside from having a month’s supply of any prescription medications and a high-quality thermometer, you also might want to have a few bottles of Pedialyte on hand as well as some over-the-counter medications like Benadryl, children’s Tylenol or ibuprofen, and cough syrup. Here are some other items to include in your first aid kit:
Alcohol wipesAntiseptic hand cleanerCompression or ace bandagesCortaid, Neosporin, and AquaphorHydrogen peroxideInsect bite swabsInstant cold packs, tweezersLatex glovesMedical adhesive tapeSaline solutionScissorsSeveral different sizes of adhesive bandagesSeveral different sizes of gauze
Have Masks on Hand
As the country begins to open back up and loosen restrictions, there’s a good chance that your state may require you to wear masks when in public. Additionally, if you or your child are sick, you should be wearing a mask anyway. You can find instructions for making masks online, or you can purchase one if you prefer. Some businesses are even giving away free masks to those who need them. The key is that you follow proper protocol for wearing masks and wash them after every use.
Try Not to Panic
Living through a pandemic is a stressful situation on its own, but when coupled with an injury or an illness of a family member or child, your stress level can escalate. Try not to panic when your child gets injured or sick. Doing so only makes the situation that much more difficult to navigate. Instead, take a few deep breaths and try to stay calm. And, if it’s a situation that requires immediate medical care, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.
Tips for Staying Safe at the Doctor
If you or your child have a condition that requires you to go to a doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency room, rest assured that they are going to do everything they can to keep you from being exposed to the coronavirus. But there are some things you can do as well to stay safe. Here are a few suggestions.
Call ahead to let them know you are coming as well as to let them know when you have arrived. Depending on where you live, some facilities will require you to wait in the car before you go in. So be prepared for this possibility.Know where you’re going. In some states, there are hospitals designated for COVID-19 patients only and others that take general emergencies. Make sure you are going to a facility that will be able to treat you or your child.Wear a face mask and have your child wear a face mask—unless they are younger than two years old or have a condition that makes wearing a mask dangerous. Never put a mask on a baby.Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth. Also, avoid touching or adjusting your mask. Refrain from touching any common surfaces if possible.Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer while you’re there, especially after if you touch a doorknob or sign-in station. If at all possible, refrain from touching anything. But if you do, clean your hands and your child’s hands.Bring something to entertain your child, especially if they are younger. Doing so will keep them from touching things that they shouldn’t. Additionally, any toys that used to exist in waiting areas have been removed. Plus, it’s likely that you may have to wait in the car for a period of time—unless it’s a life-threatening emergency.Take disinfecting wipes with you to clean anything that you are required to touch. This includes doorknobs, pens, tablets, and so on. Yes, the medical staff are regularly cleaning and sanitizing, but sometimes it helps to be extra cautious.Stay at least six feet away from everyone in the office, including the receptionist and other patients.Determine how many people are permitted to be with your child. Hospitals, urgent care centers, and doctors’ offices are all limiting visitors. Make sure you know beforehand if you are allowed to go with your child and how many people are permitted. Likely, the only people permitted will be the sick child and one parent. If you’re a single parent with multiple children, you may need to leave your other children in the care of a family member or a friend.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page. If you or your child have a medical issue that needs immediate attention, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. If it’s a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 right away. You should never delay getting the help you or your family needs because of coronavirus fears. The healthcare workers attending to you or your child will do everything they can to protect you from exposure while also making sure that you are taken care of in your time of need. A Word From Us About COVID-19 and Your Family Keeping Your Family Safe From the Coronavirus What to Know About Children and Coronavirus
