Telehealth Options When Your Child Is Home Sick From School in Anchorage
For many common childhood illnesses, telehealth can be a convenient place to start.
A virtual pediatric visit lets your child be evaluated from home, where a pediatric provider can discuss their symptoms, next steps, and whether in-person care is needed.
For families looking for telehealth options for a sick child in Anchorage, pediatric telehealth can make getting answers easier, especially when your child is already uncomfortable and would rather stay home.
Can Telehealth Help When Your Child Is Home Sick?
Yes. Many of the symptoms that keep children home from school can be evaluated during a virtual pediatric visit.
During a telehealth appointment, a pediatric provider can talk with you and your child to review their symptoms and ask questions that help determine what may be going on.
Depending on the situation, the provider may recommend home care, prescribe medication when appropriate, or recommend an in-person visit.
Telehealth can be especially helpful when your child feels too sick for school but doesn’t appear to need emergency care. It also saves families the trouble of getting a sick child dressed, into the car, and into a waiting room when a virtual visit may be enough to get started.
What Childhood Illnesses Can Be Evaluated Through Telehealth?
Many common childhood concerns can be evaluated during a telehealth visit.
At Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach, pediatric telehealth can be used to evaluate concerns such as:
Fever
Cough
Cold or flu symptoms
Sore throat
Rashes
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headaches
Urinary symptoms
Non-severe allergic reactions
A virtual visit may also help with medication questions, follow-up after an urgent care visit, newborn and feeding questions, and other concerns that don’t always require an immediate hands-on evaluation.
When Is Telehealth Not Enough?
Telehealth is useful, but some situations are better handled in person.
Your child may need an in-person visit if the provider needs to closely examine their ears, throat, lungs, abdomen, or another area that cannot be fully assessed through video. Testing for certain illnesses may also require a visit to a clinic.
If that happens, a telehealth visit can still help point you in the right direction. The provider can explain whether your child should be seen in person at pediatric urgent care.
Telehealth should not replace emergency care.
Call 911 or seek emergency care if your child has severe trouble breathing, bluish or gray lips or face, a seizure, difficulty staying awake or responding normally, or other signs of a medical emergency.
How Does a Pediatric Telehealth Visit Work?
A virtual pediatric visit is designed to be straightforward.
After scheduling the visit, you connect with a pediatric provider by video. The provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and other details that can help them understand what is happening.
They may also ask you to position the camera so they can see your child more clearly, look at a rash, watch their breathing, or observe how they behave.
From there, the provider can discuss what they think is causing the symptoms, recommend next steps, and provide a treatment plan.
If your child needs an in-person exam instead, the pediatric provider will tell you where to go next.
What Should You Have Ready?
Be ready to share when the symptoms began, any medications your child has already taken, known allergies, and anything unusual you have noticed.
If your child has a rash or another visible symptom, make sure you’re somewhere with enough light for the provider to see it clearly.
Most importantly, don’t worry about having everything perfect before the appointment. The provider can guide you through what they need to know during the visit.
Pediatric Telehealth for Families in Anchorage
When your child wakes up sick, speaking with a pediatric provider without leaving home can make the day a little easier.
Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach offers same-day pediatric telehealth for families in Anchorage and throughout Alaska.
Virtual visits are available from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, and new patients are welcome. No app is required. Families can connect using a device with a camera and browser.
If the provider determines that your child needs hands-on care, Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach also offers in-person pediatric care at its Anchorage location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can telehealth diagnose what is making my child sick?
In many cases, a pediatric provider can evaluate your child’s symptoms through video and determine an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Some conditions require an in-person examination or testing before they can be confirmed. If that’s the case, your provider will explain what your child needs next.
Can a pediatric telehealth provider prescribe medication?
Yes. A pediatric telehealth provider can prescribe medication during a virtual visit if they determine it is appropriate for your child’s condition.
Alaska Children’s Urgent Care and Outreach sends eligible prescriptions electronically to the family’s pharmacy.
What if my child needs an in-person exam after the telehealth visit?
If your provider determines that your child needs a physical exam, testing, or another type of in-person care, they’ll explain the appropriate next step.
Starting with telehealth doesn’t prevent you from moving to in-person care when your child needs it.
