In the midst of settling into a new town, my first-grader, Alex, came home one day feeling unwell. Initially, I brushed it off—he didn’t seem feverish when he arrived home. However, by dinner, I noted that his cheeks were flushed, and he had completely lost his appetite. Soon after, he complained of a sore throat. Upon inspection, I found his throat to be red and inflamed. Then came the worst part: he started vomiting. Every ten minutes.
I quickly realized that my little one was quite sick, and I found myself in a dilemma. We had just moved, and I hadn’t arranged for a pediatrician yet. Plus, it was after hours. The thought of taking my sick child to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room, where we would likely sit for an eternity while he continued to feel awful, was daunting. I typically adopt a “wait it out” approach for minor illnesses, but this situation required immediate attention.
In a moment of desperation, I searched for “online doctor,” and to my surprise, I discovered telemedicine—a service that many insurance providers now cover. I couldn’t believe it! Why hadn’t I known about this before? I quickly downloaded an app on my phone, filled in some details (insurance info, patient data, etc.), and snapped a few pictures of Alex’s throat.
After selecting a doctor from a list, I waited—similar to a traditional waiting room, but instead, I was at home in my favorite yoga pants, able to keep Alex comfortable on the couch. The app even provided updates on the queue. Less than fifteen minutes later, a doctor appeared on my screen, as if we were having a video call.
She introduced herself and inquired about Alex’s symptoms. I mentioned the photos I had sent of his throat, and she reviewed them while asking additional questions. I took Alex’s temperature and even angled the phone for a live view of his throat. The diagnosis? A classic case of strep throat, which I learned can cause vomiting in some children. The doctor shared comparison images and prescribed antibiotics, sending the prescription directly to my local pharmacy. Within an hour, I was able to pick it up, and after just one dose, Alex was able to rest.
Since that day, I’ve utilized online consultations for my children far more frequently than in-person visits to the pediatrician. The convenience is unmatched—short wait times and the ability to multitask around the house while waiting for the appointment. Although virtual consultations are best suited for visibly identifiable conditions like rashes or pink eye, they provide an invaluable resource for quick medical opinions outside of office hours or when my children are too ill to travel.
One of the best aspects is that I don’t have to dress my sick kids and load them into the car, nor do we have to endure lengthy waits surrounded by other patients’ germs. If the examination can be done from the waist up, who needs pants anyway?
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In summary, online doctor visits have transformed the way we approach healthcare for our family, making it easier and more accessible than ever before.