Pediatric Care During COVID-19

Your Pediatric team at Lakeland Regional Health is committed to helping your family during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, we are pleased to offer Telehealth appointments so your child can receive care from the safety and comfort of home.

Beginning October 19, 2020, we are pleased to offer COVID-19 examinations and rapid testing at our Pediatric practices. Families can remain in the comfort of their car for testing as well as results.

The Frequently Asked Questions below provide more details about recent changes to pediatric care at Lakeland Regional Health as well as commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and children.

 

Pediatric Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19

I have a well visit scheduled for my child. Can I still come to the office?

A well visit is a check-up that is scheduled at different ages to provide age-appropriate preventive care and to make sure your child is meeting certain developmental milestones.

We are pleased to be able to see infants and children of all ages for well-child visits in person.
My child is sick. Do I bring them to the office or can I use Telehealth? We would like to encourage you to schedule a Telehealth appointment by calling 863.284.5000. Most sick patients can be seen and treated through a Telehealth appointment, but if your child needs to be seen in the office, we have established the following guidelines for everyone’s safety:
  1. Only one parent or companion can accompany the child during the visit.
  2. Anyone who is coming to our office will be screened with a risk questionnaire at the time of the appointment. Then, before your appointment, there will be a secondary screening and you and your child’s temperatures will be taken.
  3. Patients will be registered and brought into an exam room as quickly as possible.
  4. All exam rooms are sanitized according to guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between visits.
  5. All patients, companions and team members are required to wear masks, and clinical team members will also be wearing a face shield.
  6. If the screening indicates that you or your child is at a higher risk for COVID-19, you will be redirected to a designated Lakeland Regional Health COVID-19 screening site at a nearby location.
Our Pediatric providers are pleased to be offering in-person Sports and School Physicals. Please remember to bring any required forms with you, and to call our 863.284.5000 to schedule an appointment.
What are the symptoms associated with COVID-19 in children? Children who have been confirmed with COVID-19 have typically shown mild symptoms like a fever, runny nose, and cough. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some children with underlying health issues may be at higher risk for more severe illness. High-risk includes:
  • Children with certain underlying medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, or weak immune systems.
  • People aged 65 years and older
  • People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
  • People who have serious heart conditions
  • People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
  • People of any age with severe obesity or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease
  • People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness; however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk
What can I do to protect my family? Follow the guidelines below and teach them to your children as appropriate to your child’s age:
  • Keep hands clean through thorough washing or using hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow to keep germs from spreading to others
  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Follow social distancing recommendations or orders
  • Those who are 2 years and older are advised to wear a mask or face covering
Is my child at risk for contracting COVID-19? While your child may feel well, he or she could still be infected with the virus and can spread it to others, so it is important for everyone to practice preventive care including washing hands, not touching the face, and social distancing. Remember, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19, so please take that in consideration in your efforts to keep your family safe during this time.
What should I do if my child was exposed to a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19? If your child has been exposed to COVID-19, you should monitor your child’s health for fever, cough and shortness of breath during the 14 days after the last day you were in close contact with the sick person with COVID-19 and your child should avoid public places for 14 days. If your child develops difficulty breathing or any other medical emergency, please seek immediate medical care by calling 9-1-1 or visit our Emergency Department.
Is there helpful information for how best to care for or talk to my child during this crisis? Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has great information designed for parents. We encourage you to visit the following sites: Caring for Children during the Coronavirus Pandemic Talking to Children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
My child is showing signs of anxiety and depression what do I do? Here is a great resource courtesy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist,  Aarti Patel, MD:
If your child has been exposed to COVID-19 or is showing COVID-19 symptoms, you have a number of examination and testing options.  
  • Parents of children of all ages can make a Telehealth appointment with one of our Pediatric providers by calling 863.284.5000 to receive a testing order, if warranted.
  • A child-friendly Children's Testing Site is set up in the Triage Area of our Children's Emergency Department for those ages 17 years and younger. A doctor's order is required. No appointment necessary. For details, call 863.687.1203.
  • Our Pediatric locations offer rapid testing.
    • How do I know if my child’s symptoms are severe enough to go to the hospital? If your child has symptoms of COVID-19, call your Pediatric provider (863.284.5000 during business hours, if your Pediatric provider is with Lakeland Regional Health) or our Emergency Room (863.687.1100 and ask to be connected to the Emergency Department) and ask how best to be evaluated. Do not go to your Pediatrician or hospital without calling first. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. Emergency warning signs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which show you need immediate medical care, are:
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
    • New confusion or inability to arouse
    • Blueish lips or face
    This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your Pediatric provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
    Our Pediatric practices are stocked with flu vaccines and encourage all children to receive a flu vaccination during flu season.

     

    If you’d like to make a Telehealth appointment for your child, please call 863.284.5000. If you’d like to learn more about Telehealth, click here.