Should I Run to the Urgent Care?

So far it doesn't sound like anything serious.
Have him rest up, drink plenty of fluids, rinse his nose out with a neti pot and gargle with salt water every so often.
Keep on eye on him for developing symptoms.
My pediatrician can be called anytime but they are not concerned about fevers till they are over 104 and won't come down even for a little bit after Tylenol.

Sounds a lot like the symptoms of strep throat. I would take him in, but not to the ER. They will do a strep test and prescribe antibiotics if it is positive.

It sounds like strep throat. Bumps, lesions, anything that looks like a rash in the throat or mouth are likely to be strep and need antibiotics - it won't go away on its own. It's also very contagious.

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Best thing to do is treat him for a sore throat, salt water gargle, maybe some soothing cough drops, a spoonful of honey now and then and tylenol or whatever you normally use for aches and pains. If he's still sore on Monday call your regular doc for an opinion.

Here's what I've learned this year...

bumps on the tongue or throat only mean that there's some sort of virus or infection your body is fighting. This doesn't necessarily warrant a drs appt. Our bodies are completely capable of fighting off most things on it's own - of course we don't feel great, we're sick!

I would let him rest, feed him warm soft easy to eat foods and try to LIMIT the meds! Meds usually have so many side effects and things like Tylenol, although they make you feel better, they reduce a body's ability to actually fight the infection (by reducing a fever).

I do give meds at night or if they are really miserable. But for just a sore throat I'd go for sipping tea, sucking on a lozenge or hard candy or popsicles.

Our dr told me that even if it IS strep, it's not an "urgent" issue. So I'd say wait it out and if he's not better or even worse by Monday, call the ped and see what they say.

Also, you said you gave him "meds and went about our day"...to me that's not an urgent care issue. Sounds like he's basically fine to wait until Mon.

whatever he has is probably contagious.
As most colds/strep is.
So, wash hands, keep the other kids' hands washed and yours.
Usual hygiene.
Keep tabs on his fever. If it develops.
take him to Urgent care .

All I know is, my son has been sick all week. Started with a fever, runny nose, lethargic, threw up twice, stuffy nose, sore throat, and he has Croup. And, Conjunctivitis. He has been out of Preschool, all week.

So, just check him with a Doctor, just in case to see what he has. They have Strep tests.

I don't mess with throat illnesses, mostly because strep is highly contagious and can morph into something dangerous or real nasty pretty darn quick if left untreated. With that said, go to urgent care and get his throat swabbed. It can't hurt if he only has a bad virus, but it's well worth it if it is strep. You don't want that going around the house, or your son possibly coming in contact with susceptible people outside the house. I definitely wouldn't send him to school tommorrow without getting a strep test first!

if he doesn't have a high fever, can still drink (staying hydrated) then I would wait for a normal doctor visit on Monday AM.

If his throat swells to the point he can't swallow - then yes, take him in.

No fever and just a sore throat? NO WAY. IF he has strep - let his body try and fight it naturally....only take him into urgent care when it's URGENT - high fevers, dehydration, closed throat - THOSE are URGENT...bumps at the back of his throat? no, not in my opinion.

Call your pediatrician and describe everything to them. They will e able to tell you if they think it warrants a visit. You could also call around sow pharmacies have clinics where they can test and diagnosis for minor things and prescribe what's needed at a fraction of the cost of an er visit.

I would take him in to a quick care place (but NOT the ER) It does sound like maybe strep. Does he still have his tonsils?

If it's strep and you take him to the ER you will most likely sit there for HOURS, and he would probably be more comfy at home. If you have a little 24 hour clinic or even something that is open on Sunday get him him, otherwise it could probably wait until Monday morning.

Unless you have Pyrogen on hand which is for deep anerobic bacterium go immediately to the Urgent Care. Even if you have no insurance. When I was a teenager the mother of a friend who had lived her earlier life in a foreign country told her daughter and me that she had a child that had died of strep throat.
Our country is primitive compared to most first world countries in that we don't keep our children insured for medical emergencies. If your husband thinks he's going to save some money ask him if he knows how much a funeral will cost.

Without a fever (actually even with a mild to moderate fever) and no other symptoms than a cough and sore throat I would probably wait until Monday morning. Call right when the office opens and ask for a same day appointment.
Or, as others suggest you can call your nurse advice line.

When in doubt, use your mom instincts and go to the Dr. Better to visit the Dr and be out a few extra bucks than end up with something serious.

never skimp on health and safety.

take him to urgent care--what if its strep throat or something like that. Do you really want him to be in pain the rest of the weekend without medical treatment??? Take him in and see what the doctor says. Hope he feels better.

Molly

Doesn't your pediatrician have an on-call service? Call and ask for advice. Too many people rush to urgent care for no reason, while others ignore important symptoms. People need to use the phone and let the pediatrician's office "triage" the situation.

A.,as a mother myself, I truly beleive a mothers instincts warrants others beliefs, it sounds like you did the right thing, the mere fact that he looked more tired than usual and accompanied by red bumps on the back of his tongue would show me that maybe he might have strep throat, and with the sore throat and coughing it could of gone thru out the family, and quick medications and rest will cut it off at the pass. Or possibly a allergic reaction? It was a great mothers intuition. I hope your son is feeling much better. please let us know what it was he had.

Describe his symptoms to his regular doctor and see what they say. Most doctors have a line to call during off time and they can tell you if it warrants a visit or if it can wait.

Personally, I would take my child to Urgent Care. But, he has a life long frequency of strep throat. Which is usually not red bumps, but then, I am not a doctor, so who knows.

I figure, my Ex pays for health insurance for our son, Urgent Care takes his health insurance plan, and I would be rather be safe then sorry. Also, I don't see point in him suffering needlessly if a quick trip to the local on call clinic can fix it.

Plus, I love the Nurse Practitioner at our local urgent clinic.

Hope he feels better.

God Bless

My daughter had those bumps on the back of her tongue. It turned out to be nothing. It was just a sore throat from her sinuses draining. The bumps were just irritated taste buds. Usually strep throat comes with a fever. I would probably wait until Monday, unless he feels worse today.

Better to be safe than sorry. I would take mine if it happened.
I googled it.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/314448-red-bumps-at-the...

Hello, I am not saying that it is, but this could possibly be strep throat. Untreated, this could be serious. He should go in for a throat culture.
Good luck with your precious family.
K. K.

Go now.
ASAP.

Updated

Go now.
ASAP.

Yes! Better SAFE than SORRY.

I'd call your pediatrician, and I googled and found an after hours pediatrician in Thousand Oaks. I know that's too far for you, but maybe they know of someone closer to your area.

strep throat
take him in
K. h.

from my experience strep looks more like little white things and a filmy coating over tonsils. It also has a weird smell-but unless your kids have had frequent strep you probably wouldn't know the scent. Your son most likely has a virus. I think it can wait until tomorrow.

Take him to urgent care. Sounds like strep.

I hope he feels better. Keep us posted.

red inside the throat and ears are likely symptoms of infection. If he has and infection the sooner he starts antibiotics the better and less discomfort for him. Is your co-payment for urgent care high,that would explain your husband's resistance to take him. you can have your son do warm salt water gargling to soothe inflammation, the warmer he can handle it the better. I always side on the side of caution, I would take him in. Hope he gets better soon.