Parents are often anxious when it comes to their children’s health. The smallest sign of an illness can throw them into a spiral, and the conflicting information available online only adds to the confusion. Can the symptoms be dealt with at home, or does your child need urgent care?

Orange Beach Walk-In Medical Care in Alabama offers some advice on what to do when your child is sick with the following common illnesses:

• Fever: A fever itself is not actually a disease, but rather a sign that the body is working to fight off a virus or bacteria. In most cases, it disappears on its own without the need for pediatric care. What parents need to monitor is how their child is feeling and how long the fever lasts. A fever that is higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit or that lasts longer than three days is severe enough to warrant urgent care.

• Ear Infection: Research shows that the majority of kids who get an ear infection recover without any antibiotics. But because such infections are painful, you should give your child a pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics are required when the child is an infant, has a double ear infection and is in severe pain, or if the child has a chronic illness or a weakened immune system.

• Pink eye: Pink eye is contagious, but not all cases have to be treated with antibiotics. If it’s a viral infection, then antibiotic drops aren’t necessary. If your child is older than six, has discharge that is watery and not gooey, green, and yellow, and if your child’s eyes are not glued shut by the dried discharge in the morning, then there’s no cause for panic.

Parents should take the time to analyze the situation first, as not all symptoms mean their child has a serious disease. But if you do observe that your child has prolonged symptoms and is in severe pain, bring them to your nearest emergency care clinic. Orange Beach Walk-In Medical Care is the best urgent care facility in the area. Call them at (251) 964-7425, or visit their website for more information.