What Is a School or Sports Physical?

School and sports physicals offer information, safety, and peace of mind for children, their parents, and their learning institutions. One additional benefit of school physicals is that it can detect health issues in school-aged children early so that they can get the treatment they need. You can schedule upcoming school and sports physicals for your children with Dr. Kristine Liberty, Dr. Steven Kovar and Dr. Jessica Ciszek at Kids First Pediatrics in Plainfield, IL.

What Is a School or Sports Physical?

A physical is a doctor’s exam for school-aged children that gives administrators and parents a full view of their health before they begin attending classes or playing school sports. Children are more susceptible to developing respiratory diseases like asthma and contracting viruses like the flu and COVID-19 due to their frequent contact with peers and environmental factors. Standard school and sports physicals at your Plainfield, IL, pediatrician’s office include:

• Blood pressure, weight, and height reading.
• A visual and physical examination of the body, including vision, hearing, breathing, bones, muscles, and joints.
• Questions about your child’s medical history, including illnesses and current medications.
• Blood test and urinalysis.
• Immunization shots (if due).
• X-rays if needed.

School Physicals Can Detect Potential Health Issues

Yearly (or more frequent) exams are important because they allow your pediatrician to identify health concerns and undiagnosed conditions before they have a chance to become more serious. School and sports physicals are a way for you and your child’s Plainfield, IL, doctor to detect potential health issues, like asthma, anemia, poor eyesight or hearing, and behavioral disorders like ADHD.

Next Steps After a Physical

If your doctor determines that your child has a health concern, it doesn’t mean that your child won’t be able to attend school or join sports programs. You just have to take the appropriate steps to ensure that your child gets the therapy, medication or surgery needed. The earlier you schedule the physical, the more time you’ll have to schedule follow-up appointments for treatments before the school semester is in full swing.

Get a Head Start on This Year’s School Physicals for Your Child

In addition to buying school supplies and schools for your children’s return to school this year, you should also plan an appointment with Dr. Liberty, Dr. Kovar, or Dr. Ciszek at Kids First Pediatrics in Plainfield, IL, for school and sports physicals. Call 815-609-5437 today to reserve a time to visit the office.