• Original Articles By Dr. Lavin Featuring Expert Advice & Information about Pediatric Health Issues that you Care the Most About

    COVID-19 Update on Calls and Visits to Advanced Pediatrics

    By Dr. Arthur Lavin

    Earlier this week we sent our Policies on COVID-19 at our office.

    Today, we present a very brief, easy-to-follow guide on why come the office if you have cold symptoms.

    When to Come to the Advanced Pediatrics Office If you Have Cold Symptoms

    What are Cold Symptoms?

    Cold symptoms are familiar to everyone, but here is a list of common cold symptoms:

    • Runny or congested nose
    • Sore throat
    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Tired and/or Achy

     

     

     

    Why Come to the Office if you Have Cold Symptoms?

    The two main reasons people come to see us, their doctor, when they have cold symptoms are:

    1. Families want to be sure their child is not too ill, that they are safe.
    2. Families want to be sure something other than a cold is not present, such as an ear infection or strep throat

    The Decision to Come to the Doctor’s Office in the Age of COVID-19

    The same reasons everyone wants to, and should want to, see their doctor when their child has cold symptoms remains the same, even in this era of hunkering down to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    The main difference now is that it makes sense to stay at home if you can while your child goes through their cold symptoms.Even so, the need to see a doctor does not go away, and so here is what we think may help with your decision making, when to stay home?  when to come here?  when to seek a COVID-19 test?  when to go to the hospital?

    For Cold Symptoms:

    WHEN TO STAY HOME

    If your child has cold symptoms, especially if he or she has a runny nose, and no pain, and breathing comfortably there is on real reason to come in.  The key to feeling good about staying home and not bringing your child in to be seen by a doctor is that they are in no pain and breathing comfortably.

    WHEN TO COME TO THE DOCTOR AT ADVANCED PEDIATRICS

    The main reasons we would recommend you have your child see the doctor is if your child is in pain, such as earache or sore throat, or struggling to breath.

    If the problem is earache or sore throat, or you wonder if breathing is comfy or struggling, then we can see you here, if your child has a runny nose.

    WHEN TO GO BE TESTED FOR COVID-19

    If your child has a sore throat, a cough, and/or a fever, but no runny nose, you should consider obtaining the COVID-19 test at a qualified testing center, such as a UH or the Cleveland Clinic, we can order the test but you should not come to the office.

    WHEN TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL

    The reason to seek more intensive medical care remains the same as prior to the emergence of COVID-19.  Children should be taken to the hospital if it appears they are having a serious level of difficulty breathing, or in severe pain.

    BOTTOM LINES

    1. In many ways, the decision whether your child’s illness raises concern enough to come see us here, or go to the hospital, or stay home, remains unchanged in the era of COVID-19.  If your child is mildly ill but breathing comfortably when not coughing and in no pain, these remain very good signs that he or she is not in danger at that time, and you can keep them comfortable at home.
    2. And, it remains true that if your child has a sore throat or earache with their cold symptoms we should see them to see if they have strep or an ear infection.
    3. And, it remains true that if your child is unfortunate enough to be really struggling to breathe, or in significant pain, they should still go to a good pediatric ER.
    4.  The only real difference now is that if your child’s cold symptoms are mild enough to not go to the hospital, but you’d still like us to see them, we have to do what we can to not have you physically come in if the symptoms suggest COVID-19.  That would be when your child has cold symptoms but no runny nose.  We can do offer virtual visits, which can be booked easily by  simply calling us, or telephone advice.

     

    To your health,
    Dr. Arthur Lavin

     

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