A child's illness in an unfamiliar city is twice as frightening: an unfamiliar system, signs in another language, no idea where to go. In practice the plan is simple: calmly assess your child's condition, choose the right format of care, and don't stay alone with worrying symptoms.
First step — assess the condition
Most childhood illnesses start similarly: fever, weakness, a runny nose, a cough. More than individual symptoms, the overall picture matters: how your child looks, whether they drink, respond to you, play. A listless child refusing to drink is more worrying than an active child with the same temperature.
When a scheduled appointment is enough
If the symptoms are moderate and your child is active, drinking and sleeping, booking an appointment — at the clinic or online — is usually enough. This format suits situations where:
- a runny nose or cough has lasted a while but is not getting worse;
- a moderate temperature in a child who drinks, plays and responds as usual;
- you need to go through test results or adjust treatment already prescribed;
- you have questions about routine, nutrition or development.
When a home visit is more convenient
- a high temperature and feeling unwell — the trip to the clinic is hard on the child;
- an infant has fallen ill and you would rather not take them to a public place;
- symptoms of a contagious infection — better not to bring the child into a shared waiting area;
- the condition worsened in the evening or at night, and an examination — not phone advice — is needed.
When emergency care is needed
Georgia has a single emergency number — 112. Call immediately if your child has:
- difficulty breathing, bluish lips or a bluish area around the nose and mouth;
- convulsions (fits);
- loss of consciousness, or the child is hard to wake;
- signs of severe dehydration: no urination for many hours, sunken eyes, a dry tongue;
- a suspected poisoning, a head injury, or a swallowed or inhaled foreign body;
- a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.
What not to do before the consultation
- do not start antibiotics on your own — only a doctor decides whether they are needed;
- do not give adult medicines “by eye” in a reduced dose;
- do not bring a fever down with alcohol or vinegar rubs;
- do not wait “until Monday” if the condition is worsening.
If you are unsure about your assessment — ask the doctor. A short message describing the symptoms often makes clear which format of care is needed: a scheduled appointment, a home visit or the emergency service.
How to describe the situation to the doctor
- your child's age;
- when it started and how it has developed;
- the temperature: readings and how they have changed;
- the other symptoms: cough, runny nose, vomiting, stools, rash;
- what you have already given your child, and at what dosage;
- chronic conditions and allergies, if any.
For a clinic visit or a home call-out, prepare your child's documents (passport or birth certificate, medical records if you have them), the packaging of any medicines already given, and notes on the temperature trend. This saves time and reduces the risk of dosing mistakes.