Though notorious for frequent illnesses, there are few things more heartbreaking for a parent than a sick child. Simple at-home care with over-the-counter medications and plenty of rest is often enough to help your child feel better. However, knowing when you should consult with your child’s doctor can ensure that their health remains in top condition. Find out more about diagnosing and treating your child’s sickness with Dr. Kenneth Kim in Fairfax, VA.

Common Childhood Illnesses

• Influenza: Though your child is probably vaccinated against it, they can still get the flu. The flu causes fever, body aches, chills, headache, sore throat, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
• Pinkeye: This highly contagious condition spreads quickly and comes from a bacterial infection, but can also be viral. Your doctor will probably prescribe eyedrops to help combat the symptoms of pinkeye.
• Common Cold: The common cold causes fever, congestion, coughing, and a sore throat. This can often be treated at home using over-the-counter medications, plenty of fluids, and lots of rest.
• Gastroenteritis: This stomach issue, often referred to as a “stomach bug”, causes diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pains. Though it normally clears up on its own, you may need the help of your child's doctor when it lasts longer than a few days.
• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Often called HFM, this condition is very contagious and spreads quickly through daycares. HFM causes itchy, red, oozing sores to appear in the areas of the hands, feet, and mouth.
• Strep Throat: Though babies and toddlers are not as susceptible to this condition, children often come down with cases of strep throat when they are a bit older. Strep throat causes throat pain and swelling which can become quite severe. White patches may appear on the tonsils. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help treat this condition.

Diagnosing and Treating Childhood Illnesses in Fairfax, VA
If you think your child could have a bacterial infection like pinkeye or strep throat, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible as these conditions are treated with prescription antibiotics. In many cases, you can treat your child’s illness at home with rest, fluids, over-the-counter medications to manage discomfort and fever, and plenty of TLC. If your child has a high fever, becomes dehydrated, has difficulty breathing, stops eating, or has a preexisting condition, you should contact your child's doctor for testing, diagnosis, and treatment options.

For more information on diagnosing and treating childhood illnesses, please contact Dr. Kenneth Kim in Fairfax, VA. Call (703) 246-0022 to schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Kim today!