5 Things You Need to Know When Your Child Is Sick

Is it the sniffles or allergies? A bad cold or bronchitis? A sprain or a fracture? With the start of school and sports this is the time of year that parents dread. Often, a trip to the pediatrician's office means you leave with more germs than you arrived with. And what do you do if your child is sick and you have to go to work? 

Here are 5 resources in Bergen County available to help make your life a little less stressful:

1. Holy Name Medical Center Sniffles Club  

Staying home from work to take care of your sick child may not always be an option. For those times, Holy Name Medical Center's Sniffles Club offers an alternative that can put your mind at ease. The Sniffles Club is a day care program for mildly-ill children, ages 3 months to 13 years old.

It's ideal for children who aren't seriously ill, but who just don't feel up to going to school or to the daycare center. It's a lifesaver for parents who are not able to take the day off from work and can't locate a babysitter.

The Sniffles Club is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Call for rates.

Holy Name Medical Center, The Sniffles Club, 718 Teaneck Rd.,  201-833-3461

2. Holy Name Medical Center Ask-A-Nurse

The Ask-A-Nurse service is not just for questions regarding your child--it's for everyone. Speak directly with a specially trained registered nurse who will listen carefully to your health-related questions and help you make informed decisions. The nurses are equipped with a comprehensive database that offers the latest in medical research and information. Questions about a sprained ankle? Cough? Fever? Rash? Or, are you just trying to learn more about a recent diagnosis, or wondering about whether or not you have to fast prior to an upcoming diagnostic test? Ask-A-Nurse can help.

Holy Name Medical Center, 718 Teaneck Rd., 1-877-465-9626

3. The Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, Pediatric Telephone Triage Program

The pediatric telephone triage program is staffed by registered nurses who answer phone calls regarding pediatric care advice during the non-operational hours of your pediatrician's office.

These nurses are experienced in the assessment and treatment of children. The nurse obtains pertinent information related to your child's complaint, past medical history, allergies, and current status to determine the level of medical care necessary.

The Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, Telephone Triage Program, 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, 201-996-5347

4. The Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Room

The pediatric emergency room is a Level II Trauma Center with a pediatric designation staffed with nurses and physicians who specialize in the care of children requiring emergency medical services. Service is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all children, from newborns to the age of 18. They even offer valet parking to give you one less thing to worry about.

The Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, Pediatric Emergency Room, 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, 201-996-5430.

5. Valley Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room

Valley Hospital’s pediatric emergency room is open around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The pediatric emergency room offers young patients a place where they can be evaluated and treated away from the adult treatment areas.

Valley Hospital's pediatric emergency room is staffed with pediatricians with expertise in pediatric emergency medicine and registered nurses who have extensive experience in providing emergency care for newborns, children, adolescents and young adults.

Valley Hospital, 223 N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, 201-447-8000