OT: Would you take her to urgent care?UPDATE

msoebel · 02-19-2007, 10:47 AM

Hubby was diagnosed on Friday with strep throat, an ear infection and a sinus infection.

3 1/2 year old daughter has been acting cranky since Saturday, and is now running a fever. Last night, at 2 am, it was 102 degrees (which is unusual for her...usually her fevers are pretty low grade). She also has complained a couple of times about an itchy ear, and now she says she can't tilt her head to one side because there's a "thing in her body that won't let her".

I called the dr to make an appointment, and he is out today. None of the other dr's in the physician group have any openings for today. The receptionist suggested giving her tylenol to bring the fever down and making an appointment for tomorrow, or taking her to urgent care.

I am thinking we are going to urgent care this afternoon. It's not the fever that worries me...fevers are just a sign that the body is fighting off infection. What concerns me is the already diagnosed case of strep throat in the house and the complaints about her ears (she has had an ear infection before). I don't want to wait to seek treatment until she is in pain.

So, would you take her into urgent care, knowing you will have to sit for an hour or more to see a doctor you don't really know...or would you wait until tomorrow to see her dr?

Misty

miccisue · 02-19-2007, 03:54 PM

I'd want to get the ear taken care of as soon as possible. A guy I work with nearly ruptured an eardrum a couple of years ago because he wouldn't pay attention to the pressure in his ear.

Kids seem to get really sick really fast, but they also seem to be able to bounce back a lot faster, too. Still, I'd want to have that ear checked ASAP to make sure that nothing is going on in there that could damage the hearing later on.

JMHO

Ingrid · 02-19-2007, 04:06 PM

I'm amazed that your regular doc wouldn't see her on an emergency basis.

Strep can travel into the other glands and even the heart, so I'd definitely get her on antibiotics asap.

Lieke · 02-19-2007, 04:08 PM

I'd say go to urgent care. Especially when she usually doesn't have that high fevers and has ear pains. You can never be to careful with kids.

msoebel · 02-19-2007, 04:52 PM

Thank you...that was my gut instinct...but the receptionist at the dr's office made it sound like urgent care was equivalent to taking her to a third world country for medical attention.

I really like our dr, so I am not at all mad at him. He has 3 small kids (all under age 6) so if he wants to take a day off to spend time with them...good for him.

It's just not convenient for me!

Allrighty then...urgent care as soon as I get off of work (at noon).

Thanks all!
Misty

AnreeAce · 02-19-2007, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by msoebel

but the receptionist at the dr's office made it sound like urgent care was equivalent to taking her to a third world country for medical attention.

Gimme a break!

Off to urgent care with her. The sooner they can get it diagnosed the sooner she'll be feeling better.

Hugs!

janelanespaintbrush · 02-19-2007, 05:37 PM

Have you tried calling your "nurse line" for advice? I think the phone # for mine is printed on my insurance card -- I've called them several times and they've always been very helpful. It's part of their job to help you decide what course of action to take in situations like your's.

msoebel · 02-19-2007, 05:59 PM

I don't think we have that option with our insurance...usually, I call my dr (he has always been very kind and returns phone calls within minutes) and ask if he thinks we need to bring her in.

The receptionist today wouldn't even let me talk to Betty, his nurse.

Misty

niffer · 02-19-2007, 06:28 PM

I had perforated eardums as a child, and my nana (who brought me up) believed that I got them from what the doctor termed a "light cold" after a three day wait to see him. I don't remember the cold, but I do remember the pain from the infections and perforations, and it all ended in surgery when I had to have grommets.

When its the ears you can't be to careful, especially with Kids when they don't always have the vocabulary to explain whats going on.

Keep us updated about the little'un

MaryS · 02-19-2007, 06:36 PM

Hi Misty,

The next time you're at you're regular doctor, be sure to let him/her know the receptionist wouldn't let you talk to Betty. She would be in a much better position to help you decide between urgent care, waiting a day, or even being able to squeeze you in with another doctor in the group than the receptionist.

Unless the receptionist has medical training herself she should not be denying you the option of the nurse's opinion.

Sometimes the individual who serves as the "gatekeeper" doesn't realize what the situation actually is!!!

I hope your child is feeling better soon!

Mary