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When Should You Take Your Child to the Doctor?

As a mother of 5 kiddos, I’ve seen just about everything. I’ve had kids with strep throat, pink eye, swimmer’s ear….you name it. We’ve seen our share of the doctor’s office, but I have also learned that it isn’t always necessary to bring your child in at the first sign of a sniffle. After being a mom for over 16 years, I know that sometimes the doctor isn’t going to be able to do anything for your child, and you are just going to have to help get them through it (with a little help from fluids, rest and a humidifier).

I was provided compensation for this post by Descue. All opinions are my own.

itest

Picture courtesy of iTest

Here are a few tips to help you decide if it’s necessary and when should you take your child to the doctor.

Fever

As soon as we detect a slight difference in our little one’s temperature, we are on red alert. Just remember though, that 100.4 degrees is the actual threshold for fever. A temperature of 100.2 or 99.8, it is not actually a fever. Fevers are often caused by viruses. Viruses tend to last around 2 or 3 days, so usually the best time to see the doctor is if the fever lasts longer than 3 days. Unless it’s a baby under 3 months, they should see the doctor as soon as possible if they have a fever.

Cough

I’ve gone through the winter seasons some years when everyone has a purpetual cough. Unfortunately, this fits in the not much they can do category. They will recommend using a humidifier and fluids, etc. Unless your child has a whooping type cough or a bark with a fever, or is having trouble breathing, they really don’t need to go in.

Major Changes

If you child has weakness in their limbs, an illness that came on super quick, trouble breathing, etc. you need to have them seen. In the end, you are the parent, and you know your child. Those instincts can be right!
What if you could take the wondering out of your child’s illness by getting a diagnosis without ever leaving your house and exposing your child to whatever is around them in the waiting room? Technology is advancing every day, and now it’s advancing into the home healthcare system. iTest is the first medical testing technology designed to be used by the regular person. No medical training required. Taking your healthcare into your hands, you’ll be able to find out if you have strep throat and save time and money. Right now, iTest is developing everything you need to check you or your child for flu, strep throat and even cholestrol.

Itest

iTest uses biosensor technology and your smartphone to give you convenient and reliable results right at home. It’s literally as simple as one, two, three!

How it works:

After you add a sample to the consumable, seal the top and give it a few good shakes. This allows the buffer fluid inside the consumable to elute (wash) your sample off of the sampler. Once your sample is mixed with the buffer fluid inside the consumable, press down on the cap to push your sample into a reaction chamber.

Once you’ve pressed the cap down, that’s when the magic happens. Your sample enters the reaction chamber, and if the molecules of interest are in your sample (like influenza or strep), they will attach to detection molecules in the reaction chamber, and the chamber will send a signal to your phone to let it know that you have a positive result.

iTest

If that molecule isn’t in your sample, the reaction chamber won’t send a signal to your phone, and your phone will let you know that you have a negative result. This all happens in just a few minutes.

You can use it for everyone in the family!

iTest

And keep records of what you have already tested for

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And give you the results in minutes!

iTest won’t replace your doctor, but it will be able to help you make the decision if you need to be seen, or if it can wait!

iTest has come a long way, but they need your help to make it a reality. Right now, Descue, the developers of iTest have been working hard and have created the iTest prototype ready to run basic medical tests by connecting to a smartphone. Help is needed to continue to improve, test and manufacture iTest.  With your help iTest could be helping people everywhere.

Visit the Indigogo site for iTest here. You can donate a little, or a lot, but every bit will help bring something pretty amazing to the world.

Disclaimer: iTest™ has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. This campaign represents Descue Medical’s vision of iTest’s final design, which will then be submitted to the FDA for 510(k) clearance before iTest can be marketed and sold. By supporting Descue Medical in this crowdfunding campaign, you are making iTest a reality – the first medical test designed specifically for you.

Joni Mason

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

It seemed like every time I took m son to his pediatrician's office , he cam down with a new ailment, even being only on the well children's side. I learned to stop being so over protective and a worried mom the hard way. I hope that the iTest can be FDA approved, it will save a lot of undue sickness for children with an already lowered immune system.

William Wilson

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

This list is a great reference for parents. Thank you! I hadn't heard of the iTest before.

shelly peterson

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

This really sounds like it could be very useful. Sometimes your just not sure whether to see a dr. or not.

Zoey Smith

Tuesday 20th of January 2015

It is always so hard to figure out if you are overacting or not.

Tammy Woodall

Tuesday 20th of January 2015

I agree with you - anytime there was a sign of my child getting sick I took them to the doctor. I had never heard of iTest before now, I definitely want to check it out.

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