With Jennifer Scheer, DO, and Susan Mihm, MD
Kids don’t come with a manual, but they sure do come with lots of questions. (Not to mention colds, flus, coughs, and all sorts of bacteria, bugs, and viruses.) So we sat down with two of Sarasota Memorial's FPG Pediatricians—Dr. Jennifer Scheer and Dr. Susan Mihm—for a quick primer on some common concerns.
But first…
If your child has hard/fast/noisy breathing, call their pediatrician immediately and/or take them to be evaluated immediately by a healthcare professional, preferably at the nearest emergency room.
Remember: It’s always OK to call the pediatrician.
They’re here to help.
How do I treat a cold?
Increase fluid consumption and carve out more time for rest.
Depending on the child’s age, parents can use nasal saline, controlled steam (running a hot shower, for example) and a cool-mist humidifier to help with symptoms.
Should I worry about fevers?
Fevers in babies under 2 months old need to be addressed immediately, so please call your doctor. (For infants under 60 days, a temperature above 100.3° rectal is considered a fever and needs to be addressed.)
In older children, fevers are normal with illness and a sign that the body is heating up to kill the virus or bacteria. These fevers are considered normal up to a temperature of 105 degrees and can last 4-5 days with a typical virus. If the fever persists for more than 4-5 days, the child needs to be seen by their pediatrician.
In the meantime, parents can manage their child’s symptoms with over-the-counter fever-reducers—acetaminophen at any age or ibuprofen over the age of 6 months—and ensure they are drinking plenty of fluids. If the fever is still not coming down and the child is uncomfortable, parents may place the child in a lukewarm bath.
What do I do about allergies?
If a child has seasonal allergies, it’s going to be difficult to avoid allergens altogether. Depending on age, an oral antihistamine like Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin or Zyzal can help, as can a steroid nasal spray like Flonase Sensimist.
And parents can always bring their children to a pediatric allergist or immunologist, who can take a more in-depth look into the cause and any possible solutions.
When do I call 911?
Call 911 and seek emergency care if:
- There is concern for an allergic reaction, with any two of the following symptoms: rash, vomiting, swelling of lips and/or tongue, or trouble breathing
- Hard/fast/noisy breathing
- Refusal to walk (in a toddler-aged child or older)
- Abnormal behavior/movements (concern for seizure activity)
- Persistent vomiting with inability to keep fluids down
- Any traumatic accident or injury
If the issue is urgent but not an emergency, seek care at any one of the seven nearby Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Centers. To learn more about the difference between Emergency Room services and Urgent Care services, click here.
When is it ok to call the pediatrician?
Whenever you have a question!
Need A Pediatrician?
To find a First Physicians Group Pediatrician near you, click here.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mihm, click here.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Scheer, click here.
Written by Sarasota Memorial copywriter Philip Lederer, MA, who crafts a variety of external communications for the healthcare system. SMH’s in-house wordsmith, Lederer earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration and Political Philosophy from Morehead State University, KY, and is the inventor of the bug-based children's therapy, Centipediatrics.