What is a sick visit?
As its name suggests, a sick visit is a trip you make to the doctor when you or your child is feeling ill. Sick visits are for non-emergency illnesses, like the flu or an ear infection.
It can be tough for parents to tell when their kids are truly sick because they come home with little bugs and the sniffles so often. If you can’t tell if your child’s illness warrants a doctor's visit, look for the following symptoms:
- Rash with fever
- A chicken pox-like rash
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Fever that has persisted for over three days
- Any high fever in a child under one
- High fever accompanied by vomiting, headache, stiff neck, confusion, or rashes
Symptoms like these suggest that your child is suffering from an illness more serious than the common cold, and you should bring them in.
When should I go to the emergency room?
Sometimes, you need to address your illness or injury right away, and a sick visit isn’t the answer. Go to an emergency room if you have:
- Severe burns
- Uncontrolled vomiting
- Suspected intestinal bleeding
- Sudden severe pain or headaches
- Severe chest pain, particularly if it’s radiating to the jaw or arm
- Paralysis
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Sudden blindness
- Sudden loss of or difficulty speaking, and understanding speech
- Intestinal bleeding
- Bleeding while on blood thinners
Also, if you have a child under four months old who develops a fever, take them to the emergency room for treatment.
What happens during a sick visit?
During a sick visit, your team member asks you and/or your child about your symptoms and how they began. They also gather information on your health history and your family history.
After gathering all of this information, your provider examines you. A typical exam includes:
- Taking your temperature
- Checking your blood pressure
- Listening to your breathing and heartbeat
- Looking inside your ears for signs of infection
- Feeling your throat for swollen lymph nodes
Depending on your symptoms and health, your provider may also order tests like urine analysis. At the end of your visit, they present with a diagnosis and a recommendation or prescription. Typically a sick visit takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
Does a persistent illness or minor injury have you feeling down? If so, book a sick visit with a primary care provider at All Day Medical Care Clinic. To do so, call the office or use the online booking tool.
For sudden illnesses and injuries, or for care outside of regular hours, walk in for an urgent care visit.
If you or your child is feeling ill or not getting better, don’t chance it. Schedule a same day or next day appointment with the All Day Medical Care Clinic over the phone or using the online booking tool.
