When Should You Take Your Child To The Pediatrician For Muscle Pain?

It's not unusual for kids to suffer from the occasional muscle pain. They might get a cramp after being physically active and not consuming enough liquids. They might have growing pains on occasion, too. But sometimes muscle pain in kids is more sinister than this and may require treatment from the pediatrician. As a parent, how do you know the difference? Well, you can start by keeping your eyes out for these signs that your child's muscle pain has a more serious underlying cause.

The muscle pain lasts more than a few hours

Usually, muscle pain that has a benign or non-worrisome cause lasts either a few minutes or a few hours. If it persists for more than a couple of hours, you should call your child's pediatrician. The pain could be the result of an injury such as a deep bruise or a muscle tear. It could also be a sign that your child is coming down with an infection, such as the flu.

The muscle pain is accompanied by a fever

If your child also has a fever, then there is a good chance the muscle pain is being caused by an infection. There is a significant chance it's just the flu or a similar virus, and in this case, the pediatrician will probably send your child home with instructions to rest and take in lots of fluids. However, there is also a chance the pain and fever are being caused by a more localized bacterial infection in the muscle tissue itself. This needs to be treated with antibiotics ASAP, so it is not a possibility to ignore.

The muscle pain is accompanied by a rash

If your child has any sort of rash — whether it is on the spot where the muscles feel sore or in a completely different location — you should take them to the pediatrician. Some childhood diseases like the measles and fifths disease can cause muscle aches and a rash as the first symptoms. The earlier a disease like this is diagnosed, the better it can be managed. Note that even if your child has been vaccinated for these diseases, there is a small chance they could still get them. You are better off safe than sorry.

Usually, muscle pain is just a temporary issue that you don't need to worry about. But when it is long-lasting, accompanied by a fever, or accompanied by a rash, it's something your child's pediatrician needs to know about. Find a pediatrician clinic near you today.