Navigating "Sick Season"
We'll Get Through It Together!
Frequent illness is a normal part of childhood. Focus on what you can control and use these tips to help navigate the inevitable illnesses that circulate every year.
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Navigating Sick Season
Prevent, Prepare, Treat
Sick season typically occurs in the fall and winter in our community. During this time, we can experience longer-than-normal wait times and limited appointment availability. We know these issues can be frustrating, and we assure you we are constantly working to address them. Our teams are dedicated to ensuring every child receives the best care possible. We appreciate your patience and thank you for trusting us to be your partners in your child's health.
Symptoms & Severity
Unsure about which symptoms can be managed at home and which require medical attention? Use our symptom checker as a starting point, or call your pediatrician.
At-Home Treatments
It's typical for a child to come down with respiratory and/or stomach bugs six to eight times each year! Thankfully, many can be safely managed at home.
If You Need to Visit
Your pediatrician should always be your first stop. If it's after office hours and you can't wait, know where to go — one of our Emergency Department or Urgent Care locations, or find CHOP doctors at local community hospitals. And be sure to check our latest visitor guidelines.
Preparation & Prevention
Prepare for common bugs and viruses by stocking up on the items on this checklist, and limit exposure to germs by practicing trusted infection prevention methods. And as always, stay up to date on all your immunizations (flu, COVID boosters and more)!
Resources for Parents & Caregivers
We understand how hard it can be to watch your child suffer from any illness, but thankfully many can be safely managed at home and will clear up without medical treatment. Here are some things you can do now to prepare your household and brush up on practical prevention tips:
These additional resources can help you feel empowered to handle most common illnesses at home if and when they occur.
- Getting Through Sick Season (Video Series)
- Manage Frequent Illnesses this School Year
- What to Do If You Suspect the Flu
- Treating the Common Cold
- Use with Caution: Cough and Cold Medicine Safety Tips
- Calming Your Child’s Cough
- Help for Headaches
- Treatments for Vomiting
- Treat Dehydration from Stomach Bugs (video)
- Managing Fever in Healthy Children
- My Child Has a Fever: What Should I Do?
- Fever in a Newborn
- Help Babies with Colds & Respiratory Infections (Bronchiolitis)
- What to Do If Your Child Has Hand, Foot & Mouth
- Tested Positive for COVID-19? What to Do
- RSV: How to Treat at Home and When to Seek Medical Care
Wondering if a trip to the doctor is necessary? These resources can help you determine when to make the call and what might require an emergency visit.
Trusted Prevention
