Given that we’re all a little hesitant to run out to a doctor’s office, hospital or urgent care unless absolutely necessary these days, there’s an app you might want to have handy as flu season approaches and we continue to ride the wave of the pandemic: The KidsDoc app.
The KidsDoc app was created by the American Academy of Pediatrics and is an index of symptoms you can search via an alphabetical list, by body area or by keyword search. When you click on a symptom, such as ear congestion, headache or eye swelling, you get more information explaining the symptom in further detail to confirm accuracy (plus a list of other symptoms that may be a better fit). From there, you can read about potential causes, what to do next and overall care advice. You can also email the information to yourself (or someone else).
You can create mini-profiles for each child to keep a log of their commonly used medications, dosage, prescription numbers and other notes. And there is a “first aid” section where you can look up how to treat various injuries or ailments, such as burns or cuts. The app even stores dosage tables for common over-the-counter medicines your child may use, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
As the app’s disclaimer rightfully points out, the guidelines you find on this app are a starting point—not the be-all and end-all of diagnosing and treating your child’s illness or injury.
No care guideline can ever be perfect. Therefore, you need to use your best judgement and common sense as you use KidsDoc. You are responsible for your child’s health. Make decisions that are safe and cautious. When in doubt, call your doctor. If you think that your child has an emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency department.
The app is $1.99 and is available for iOS and Android.
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