How Telemedicine Services Can Treat Pink Eye

When you have little ones it may appear like a revolving door at the doctor’s office as kids are constantly fighting off one illness after the other in those primary school years it seems. And taking a sick child to a crowded doctor’s office waiting room filled with other sick children is no picnic for child or parent alike, especially if you have to bring other healthy sibling(s) with you for the appointment. It is more often that the mother is the one taking the child to the doctor and therefore missing work more than forty percent of the time, with dads, grandparents, relatives and childcare workers picking up the remaining sixty percent. Not only do these repetitive childhood illnesses keep our little ones down, but they can keep the parents productivity down at work too. Pink eye is the most common cause of children missing school and by proxy moms missing work, every year more than three million absences from school are said to be caused by pink eye. Yes, pink eye is a relatively mild illness with mild discomfort for the child, but highly contagious and without proper treatment immediately it can make its rounds through your entire household and keep children out of school for weeks instead of days. Prevention and immediate treatment are your only hope of containing this persistent affliction and telemedicine offers the quickest and easiest means of treatment. Rather than taking your child (and other healthy siblings) to a crowded doctor’s office filled with other sick children a telemedicine video chat doctor appointment offers a better solution. Not only do you not have to wait for an appointment, but you don’t have to take the child out of his or her own bed and can schedule your consultation with the doc most any time day or night seven days a week. Options like that can bring tears to a parent’s eyes! Registering online with a telemedicine company is quick and easy to do and takes about thirty minutes at most. Answer some health history questions, select a time and date (today) and basically you’re ready to go. Typically, you will get a response in minutes with a list of available U.S. board certified doctors in your state who can take the call. Don’t forget to include your child’s health insurance coverage (although not required) because the telemedicine doctor visit may be covered under your insurance plan, even if not the cost of a video chat doctor appointment is about the same, more often less than seeing the doctor at the office. You choose the doctor and the time and your video chat consultation is ready to begin either on your computer or by downloading a free mobile device app, it’s just that easy.

How A Video Chat Doctor Will Treat Pink Eye?

Now that you’re registered and have made your telemedicine video chat doctor’s appointment you are ready to begin. The appointment will be just as it would be in a doctor’s office just much more convenient because you and your child are at home. The doctor will be making a visual assessment of your child as well as asking you questions about the symptoms and when they began. Treatment for pink eye is fairly simple and stresses the importance of prevention of spreading it to other family members or others. Frequent hand washing, not touching or rubbing the eyes and not sharing towels or face cloths with the infected person is crucial. Once the doctor has made a diagnosis and depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis he or she will likely suggest you place warm compresses on the eyes periodically for relief of discomfort, and treatment may include allergy medication, and eye drops (over the counter or prescription). The doctor will explain the diagnosis and treatment plan and ask if there are any questions you may have.

What Information You Will Need to Have Ready for The Doctor

Before you have your face-to-face video chat doctor appointment it is important to prepare. The room you have the videoconference in should be quiet and private to avoid distractions and there should be no bright lighting in the background. It is always good to make a list of the symptoms, when they began, and any other pertinent information i.e. little Susie is allergic to cats but played with a neighbor’s cat anyway and now her eyes are red and oozing sticky yellowish goo. Give the doctor as much information as you know. It is best to take your or your child’s temperature just before you begin or during the video chat consultation. And finally write down any questions you want to ask the doctor, most people forget at least one thing they wanted to know but forgot to ask. Alert the doctor of any allergic reactions to medications if any.

What Kind of Resolution Can I Expect from The Doctor?

The doctor will assess your medical history, your current physical appearance and symptoms to reach a diagnosis. The doctor will then explain your diagnosis and detail a treatment plan for you which may include the prescribing of medications, if so the doctor will call or electronically send in your prescriptions to the local pharmacy of your choice provided it is permitted by your state’s guidelines. The doctor will give you instructions on home care and follow up care if necessary. The doctor will ask if you have any questions that he or she did not answer and then likely wish you a speedy recovery.