School Age

This is such an important time in your child's development and personal growth. Your support and encouragement during this time is critical to their health and happiness. We require an annual well visit to discuss issues critical to your child's health such as: getting proper sleep, good nutrition, exercise, peer relationships, school and extracurricular activities. Many questions about health habits, schoolwork, and behavior arise during this time in your child's life. Dr. Julie encourages you to write these down so they can be addressed at the next well check. If your questions can't wait until the next well check, please call the office to schedule an appointment.

It is very common for children of this age to get sick from germs at school. Most often, these illnesses are due to viral infections. Initial management of viral infections includes: hydrating your child with clear fluids (water, Pedialyte, Gatorade or watered down juice); propping him/her up during sleep and running a humidifier next to your child's bed for congestion and cough. Sometimes a steamy shower room can help if your child's nose is really stuffy. Encourage your child to blow his/her nose as much as possible (sometimes the steamy shower helps). If your child is fever free and still playful, try these home remedies first. If the child has other worrisome symptoms (cough, ear ache, sore throat, etc), please make an appointment on the following business day. This is a great age to start working with your kids on hand washing (regular soap and water works just fine!) and coughing into their elbows helps prevent the spread of germs.

If your child has a fever over 105, take him/her to the ER.

If your child has a fever alone or a fever accompanied by mild symptoms, treat the fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) and call us the following business day. Appropriate dosing can be found at Tylenol.com and Motrin.com. If your child's fever is difficult to control or is accompanied by more severe symptoms, you may consider taking him/her to Bumps N Bruises Urgent Care if it is the weekend or after-hours. If you are unsure, you can always call our Night Nurse (please see the After Hours tab for this number).