Healthcare Vocab for Pediatricians

A condition in which the body has a bad reaction to certain foods, animals, plants, or other substances

She has an allergy to peanuts, so she must be very careful about what she eats.

Medicines prescribed by a doctor to kill harmful bacteria and treat certain infections

The doctor prescribed antibiotics to help the girl recover from her throat infection.

A routine medical examination done by a doctor to make sure a person is healthy

Parents should take their children for a checkup every year, even when they are not sick.

A condition where the nose or chest is blocked or stuffed up, making it difficult to breathe

She had bad congestion from her cold, so she could not breathe through her nose.

A condition that happens when your body does not have enough water to function properly

After playing outside in the hot sun for hours, the boy showed signs of dehydration and needed to drink water right away.

The process of identifying what illness or condition a person has, usually done by a doctor after examining the patient

After several tests, the doctor gave a diagnosis of pneumonia and began treatment right away.

The amount of medicine a person should take and how often they should take it

The label on the bottle said the correct dosage for children is one teaspoon every eight hours.

An infection inside the ear caused by bacteria or viruses, which can cause pain and difficulty hearing

The baby cried all night because of an ear infection, so her mother took her to the doctor in the morning.

A body temperature that is higher than normal, usually a sign that the body is fighting an illness

The child had a fever of 39 degrees, so her mother kept her home from school.

A chart used by doctors to track a child's height and weight over time to make sure they are developing normally

The pediatrician looked at the growth chart and told the parents that their son was growing at a healthy rate.

The process of making a person protected against a disease, usually through a vaccine or injection

The school requires proof of immunization before children can attend classes.

An illness caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other germs entering the body

The cut on his hand became red and swollen because of an infection.

Important stages of development that children are expected to reach at certain ages, such as walking or talking

The doctor asked the parents if their toddler had reached milestones like standing alone and saying a few words.

A doctor who specializes in treating babies, children, and teenagers

The parents took their newborn baby to a pediatrician for a health check one week after birth.

A written or electronic instruction from a doctor that allows a patient to get specific medicine from a pharmacy

The doctor gave her a prescription for pain medication after her surgery.

An area of red, irritated spots or patches that appear on the skin, often caused by an allergy or infection

After eating strawberries, the boy developed a red rash on his arms and neck.

Unwanted or unexpected physical reactions that can happen when a person takes medicine

The medicine helped his infection, but one of the side effects was an upset stomach.

Physical signs or feelings that indicate that a person may be sick or have a health condition

Common symptoms of the flu include fever, tiredness, and body aches.

An injection or medicine given to protect a person from a specific disease by helping the body build protection against it

The nurse gave the baby a vaccination to protect her from measles.

A high-pitched whistling sound made when breathing, usually caused by a blocked or narrow airway

The child with asthma started wheezing during exercise, so the teacher called his parents.