Truth is, anyone with an appendix can get appendicitis—even our children. Appendicitis is a painful inflammation of the hollow, finger-shaped organ attached to the end of the large intestine. If left untreated, an inflamed appendix can rupture, leading to a lengthy hospital stay for complications including abdominal infection and bowel obstruction.  

When your child complains of stomach pain, consult your pediatrician for proper diagnosis and to ensure the health of your child. Since appendicitis is potentially life-threatening, it is important to understand the symptoms so that you can spot appendicitis in your child. In order of appearance, the symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

Unfortunately, symptoms of appendicitis might also be hidden by a viral or bacterial infection that preceded it. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever may appear before the typical pain of appendicitis, which makes the diagnosis much more difficult.

Your child’s discomfort might also disappear, which will persuade you that they are better. However, this disappearance of pain could also mean that the appendix has just broken open or ruptured. The pain might leave for several hours, but this is the moment when appendicitis becomes dangerous, making it more important than ever to visit your pediatrician for immediate care for your child.

Treatment

When your pediatrician diagnoses your child with appendicitis, surgery is usually needed as soon as possible. Surgically removing the appendix is usually the treatment of choice, as it is important to eliminate the inflamed appendix before it bursts.  

While most children with abdominal pain do not have appendicitis, you can never be too safe when it comes to the health of your child. Visit your pediatrician for further diagnosis of this serious problem and to take the next steps toward a healthy child.

Is your child ready for competitive sports or a new high-octane activity? At Pediatrics of Central Florida in Kissimmee, your team of eight pediatricians perform pre-participation sports physicals to assess physical development, level of condition and other markers of readiness. This required evaluation is key to your child's enjoyment of the sport and to your peace of mind about his or her health.

FAQs about sports physicals in Kissimmee

What is a sports physical?

A sports physical is an in-office medical examination which evaluates a child's or teen's height, weight, hearing, eyesight, vital signs, muscular development, flexibility, medical and medication history, previous injuries, and more. Also, it may include an electrocardiogram, or EKG, to uncover any heart rhythm issues, and administration of any needed vaccinations. A thorough examination reveals potential physical problems before the youngster starts his school sport or participation in a organizational activity such as martial arts, dance or little league ball.

Are there required forms to return to the school or club?

Your school district or club will tell you what paperwork it requires before your child begins his or her activity.

Are the exams different for boys and girls?

At puberty, yes, they are different. Your pediatrician watches girls for something called the female athlete triad--that is, weak bones, irregular menstruation, and inadequate nutrition.

My child has asthma. Will this disqualify him from sports?

No, likely it will not, especially if the condition is well-controlled. However, your child's doctor may change his medication or ask him to monitor his breathing more carefully as the sports season progresses.

Could my child actually fail the physical?

Unless your pediatrician discovers something unforeseen, your child should be fine. However, some youngsters are allowed to participate even when there is a health problem as long as certain accommodations or restrictions are followed. The doctor will note these on the physical form.

Some teens experience cardiac problems when participating in sports. Will the exam catch a potential problem?

The Heart Rhythm Society reports that sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among young athletes, ahead of traumatic head injury. As such, an EKG proves a useful tool is catching unexpected heart problems before they express themselves on the playing field. Ask your physician at Pediatrics of Central Florida if this simple diagnostic test is right for your youngster.

Learn more about sports physicals

For more information on sports physicals for student athletes, or to schedule one for your child or teen, call one of the convenient locations of Pediatrics of Central Florida. Our offices are in St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and Orlando, FL.

In infants, toddlers and preschoolers, the most frequent cause of sore throats is a viral infection. No specific medicine is required when a virus is responsible, and the child should get better over a seven to ten day period. During this period, your child may develop a fever, but they generally are not very sick. 

It is not uncommon to experience a sore throat when your child has a cold or the flu. Unfortunately, there are other reasons for sore throats to develop that may be symptomatic of more serious problems.  Children tend to have sore throats more often than adolescents or adults, with sore throats being the most common during the winter months when upper respiratory infections are more frequent. 

The major cause of a sore throat is an infection, whether it is viral or bacterial, and can also be caused by allergies and environmental conditions. If your child has a sore throat that lasts longer than the typical five to seven day duration of a cold or flu, and is not associated with an avoidable allergy or irritation, it is important to contact your local pediatrician. The following are signs and symptoms to alert you to take your child to the pediatrician:

• Severe and prolonged sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Joint pain
• Earache
• Rash
• Fever that is over 101 degrees
• Frequent recurring sore throat
• Lump in the neck
• Hoarseness lasting over two weeks

At the first onset of a sore throat it is always important to monitor the progress and recognize any other symptoms that may accompany the sore throat, which could cause it to worsen into strep throat, inflamed tonsils, or laryngitis. Contact your pediatrician if your child is experiencing a sore throat that won’t go away. Your pediatrician will help diagnose and treat your child’s symptoms. 

A hit to the head during a soccer game or a hard fall from skateboarding may result in a serious head injury and even a concussion. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes a concussion as any injury to the brain that disrupts normal brain function on a temporary or permanent basis. These injuries are typically caused by a blow to the head, most often occurring while playing contact sports such as football, hockey, soccer, wrestling or skateboarding.

For some children, concussions only last for a short while. Other times, a person can have symptoms of a concussion that last for several days or weeks following the injury. Not all symptoms of concussions will be obvious, and in some cases take several hours to set in. Look for these signs of a concussion if your child suffers a head injury:

• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Memory loss or confusion
• Poor concentration
• Vision problems
• Fatigue
• Irritability or changes in mood
• Sensitivity to light or noise

Seek Medical Attention

If your child injures his head or you believe he may have a concussion, it is important that the child discontinues play immediately and visits a healthcare provider for an evaluation. All concussions are serious and should be monitored right away. A pediatrician can properly diagnose the concussion and its severity, and then make appropriate treatment recommendations.

Rest from all activities is the best treatment for concussions. Your pediatrician can make appropriate recommendations for when the child should return to future play. Recovery time depends on the child and the severity of the concussion.

Preventing Head Injuries

Not all head injuries can be avoided, but you can do a few important things to prevent them.

• Buckle Up. Make sure your child is properly buckled up in a seat belt, car seat or booster seat.  
• Safety Gear. If your child plays sports, make sure he wears appropriate headgear and other safety equipment.
• Awareness. Children should be taught how to play safe and understand the importance of reporting any type of head injury to their parent or coach.

All head injuries should be taken seriously.  Early detection and treatment is the best way to prevent serious complications. It’s never a bad idea to contact your pediatrician when you have questions or concerns about your child’s head injury.

Generally, a fever is brought on by an infection from a virus or bacterial infection. While many times a parent’s first instinct is to worry when their child has a fever, it’s not necessarily a sign that something serious is taking place. That’s because a fever is the body’s normal, infection-fighting response to infection and in many cases is considered a good sign that the child’s body is trying to heal itself.

When to Visit Your Pediatrician

Fevers are one of the most common reasons parents seek medical care for their child. Most of the time, however, fevers require no treatment.

When a child has a fever, he may feel warm, appear flushed or sweat more than normal—these are all common signs. So, when does a child’s fever warrant a pediatrician’s attention?

You should call your pediatrician immediately if the child has a fever and one or more of the following:

• Exhibits very ill, lethargic, unresponsive or unusually fussy behavior
• Complains of a stiff neck, severe headache, sore throat, ear pain, unexplained rash, painful urination, difficulty breathing or frequent bouts of vomiting or diarrhea
• Has a seizure
• Is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher
• Fever repeatedly rises above 104°F for a child of any age
• Child still feels ill after fever goes away
• Fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years or more than 3 days in a child 2 years of age and older

All children react differently to fevers. If your child appears uncomfortable, you can keep him relaxed with a fever-reducing medication until the fever subsides. Ask your pediatrician if you have questions about recommended dosage. Your child should also rest and drink plenty of fluid to stay hydrated. Popsicles are great options that kids can enjoy!

For many parents, fevers can be scary, particularly in infants. Remember, the fever itself is just the body’s natural response to an illness, and letting it run its course is typically the best way for the child to fight off the infection. Combined with a little TLC and a watchful eye, your child should be feeling normal and fever-free in no time.

Whenever you have a question or concern about your child’s health and well being, contact your Kissimmee pediatrician for further instruction.