2 Childhood Illnesses That Can Be Treated At Walk-In Clinics

People who need to see a doctor after normal business hours can visit a walk-in clinic in their area. The clinic is usually staffed by doctors who either volunteer at the clinic or who are mandated to work a certain number of hours at the clinic per month. Not only can patients skip the hectic scene at the emergency room, but it also costs less than emergency rooms. People can visit urgent care clinics for a variety of reasons. When you are a parent, you will probably visit them a lot during your child's life. Below are a few illnesses that doctors can handle at walk-in clinics and the symptoms associated with them.

Fifth Disease

Fifth Disease is a virus caused by the parvovirus B19. It usually affects kids aged 5 to 15. It isn't a serious disease, but the rash can look scary and be uncomfortable for small children. Other symptoms include:

  • Lowgrade fever
  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Bright red rash on face, trunk, and limbs
  • Swollen, painful joints

The rash of this virus starts as bright, red marks on the cheeks and appears after the infection has passed out of the body. The disease is very contagious before the rash, but once the rash shows up, the threat of passing the virus is gone. There is no vaccine to prevent Fifth's Disease, so it's hard to stop it from spreading since it shares so many signs of the common cold until the rash appears. It also cannot be treated with antibiotics since it is a virus. It typically lasts one to three weeks.

Croup

Croup is a virus that attacks the upper airway of a person. It is commonly found in very young children. The infection is known for its barky cough. Some of the other symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Hoarse voice
  • Labored breathing
  • Swollen vocal cords

The symptoms of this virus are pretty serious, but the virus usually runs its course in five days. It can be dangerous for kids ages six months to three years old due to the size of their airways. They may have trouble breathing and need to be hospitalized if it gets too severe. It's a virus, so antibiotics are not prescribed. However, in severe instances, a steroid can be given to fight the inflammation.

Conclusion

A walk-in clinic is a great way to receive medical care after normal business hours or on weekends. It should never be used for severe cases. In those cases, you should visit the nearest emergency room.


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