Common Illnesses in Plano, TX

With all of the common illnesses of childhood, parents may not know exactly when the best time is to call the pediatrician and when to treat at home. We understand your concern at Village Pediatrics in Plano, TX. With many years of experience of working with babies, children, and teens, our board-certified pediatricians, Dr. Hebbur and Dr. Okammor, want you to rest assured that no question is a bad question about your child's health. In fact, we prefer that you call us if you’re concerned about your child when he or she has a fever, or if your child has an illness serious enough to been seen by a doctor. Cough, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, strep throat, laryngitis, nausea, and vomiting are all treatable illnesses at home. However, when a fever spikes over 100° F,  or the diarrhea causes drastic dehydration, or if an illness is prolonged or worsening, it is best to make an appointment before a trip to the emergency room is necessary. 

A cough can mean many different things, and does not necessarily mean a cold, or a tickle in your little one's throat. Allergies, acid reflux, congestion, bronchitis, and a variety of infections and conditions can all cause a cough. Not only can we diagnose your child, but we can provide a wide variety of treatments to make a cough go away.

Diarrhea can be a symptom of a bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection. Usually, these types of infections need to just work their way out of the body. However, if you are worried that your child may be dehydrated or cannot stop the runny bowel movements, please call our office to be seen.

Fever is only a symptom, not an illness. Many different infections can cause a fever. Occasionally, fever is a symptom of a much more serious problem, such as the flu, gastroenteritis, earaches, and more.

A sore throat can be a symptom all on its own without a runny nose, cough, or fever. When it is combined with other symptoms, it is usually associated with a common cold, infection, acid reflux, or allergies.  Make sure to check for fevers and give your child plenty of cold fluids to stay hydrated.

Strep throat is not something you just know your child has, and generally, it requires a swab test and culture of the throat to diagnose. You may suspect strep when the throat looks inflamed and the child complains of burning pain in the area. Children, who have strep throat, need to stay home after the diagnosis and treatment because it is highly contagious.  We recommend making an appointment when you are uncertain if it is a strep throat infection.

Raspy voices, wheezing, and deep-sounding coughing spells are all symptoms of laryngitis. It is also known as the croup, and can infect our children as it is a contagious, viral infection of the larynx. 

Tummy pain and recurrent vomiting can really put a damper on your child's day. This is usually a symptom that the body is trying to get rid of a virus, bacteria, or parasite. It can also be a symptom of anxiety, food allergies, eating too much, and/or food poisoning. If the nausea and vomiting do not stop, please keep your child hydrated and call our office for an appointment for an exam.

These common illnesses of childhood are never good news for a family; however, most of these ailments can be treated at home with over-the-counter medication, good rest, and lots of tender loving care. When infections spread or fevers spike, it is always wise to contact your pediatrician for further instructions and follow-up appointments. Trust your instincts, and call us if you need your child to be seen. 

When it comes to the patients at our practice, we will treat your children like they are our own. We hope that you feel as though you can call and communicate your concerns about your child’s health with us, and ask questions when you have concerns. Many common childhood illnesses can be treated at home, but when it becomes more than you know how to handle, give us a call and make an appointment. Office visits are by appointment only. Patients who appear in the office without an appointment requesting to be seen will be given the next open appointment time with their pediatrician, if the schedule permits. Our schedule is structured to accommodate same-day appointments.