Many of us have been there and know the panic and anxiety that follow. Your child is suddenly sick, injured, or simply not him or herself. Whether you need urgent care on a weekend or in the middle of the day and your child’s pediatrician isn’t available, Premium Urgent Care is always here to help.
We do understand how stressful it is. We also have tips to help you navigate when it’s truly an emergency and requires a trip to the ER or if it’s okay to wait a day or two until your child’s regular pediatrician is available.
Common Childhood Illnesses vs. Illnesses That Require a Doctor’s Attention
Children experience a wealth of illnesses throughout the year. They’re exposed to germs by their parents, other family members, friends, classmates, and strangers in stores and public places. As children aren’t always conscientious about handwashing, covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze, or putting things in their mouths, germs spread quickly.
Some illnesses have vaccinations to help lower the risk of contracting something or having severe symptoms. Not every child is old enough to get all of these immunizations. Infants need time to develop an effective immune system, which puts them at higher risk of complications from common viruses like a cold, COVID, the flu, and RSV.
When your child is sick, it’s important to know what to do at home and when it’s worth consulting a doctor. Telehealth makes it easy to talk to a doctor and get advice without having to leave your house. If it’s important enough that the doctor sees your child in person, you can make those arrangements at that time.
Fevers that aren’t dangerously high can be monitored at home. If it’s less than 102º F, use infant or children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower it. See a doctor if it’s over 102º F. Know your child’s normal behavior when ill. That makes it easy to identify when your child is more listless than is typical. If a fever lasts more than two days for an infant or three days for an older child, see a doctor.
Stomach bugs are another common ailment in children. Typically, they pass in a day or two. However, it can be hard for a child to keep fluids down. If your child has thrown up water, milk, juice, broth, ginger ale, etc. for days, dehydration is a concern.
Avoid dehydration by having your child take a tablespoon or so every few minutes instead of a full glass. Try ice chips, popsicles, or frozen sorbet to see if that’s tolerated. If not, IV fluids may be necessary at an urgent care clinic.
Infants can’t always tell you when they’re in pain. Excessive crying can be a sign. If there’s an ear infection, which is one of the many frustrating childhood illnesses, look for the baby pulling at the ear lobe.
Doctors don’t prescribe antibiotics like they used to when you were younger. Use a warm compress or heating pad and over-the-counter pain medications to help alleviate the pain. If you see mucus coming from the ear, the eardrum has likely ruptured. Bring your child to urgent care.
A sore throat is common in childhood. But, so is strep throat. Strep throat will have the back of the throat looking fiery red and white spots may appear. See a doctor to get your child on antibiotics. Your child also needs to be kept away from others as strep is very contagious.
A red rash on the skin could be an allergic reaction to a new soap, grass, or other plant pollen, or skin cream. If the spots look like pimples and are itchy, there’s a chance your child has chicken pox. Even with the vaccine, there’s a chance of contracting the breakthrough form of the virus. A visit to the doctor isn’t always necessary, but it’s a good idea to call a doctor and ask for any signs to watch for.
Children aren’t always aware of dangers like eating berries they spot in the woods or mushrooms growing in the yard. There have been cases of children eating pills they find lying around or getting into a medicine cabinet and eating pills that look like candy. Any potential poisoning requires a trip to the ER.
Around the world, 2 out of 5 burn injuries occur in children. Minor burns are easily treated at home with a burn cream and a cool washcloth or dish of water. Severe burns that cause blisters or blackened skin or cover an expansive area of the body need to be treated by medical professionals.
Finally, there are common injuries that come from being a kid. It’s possible to fall while running around or playing on playground equipment. Your child might fall while climbing a tree or large rocks. Slipping on wet grass, a bathtub or bathroom floor, or hardwood flooring is another way children can fall. Falls lead to sprains, strains, and fractures. There may be cuts that are too deep and require stitches. Those need urgent medical care.
School or community sports can lead to injuries. Getting hit in the head with a ball or bat can cause a concussion. Colliding with another player is a risk. Head injuries are not something to ignore.
Summing that up, go to urgent care if:
- A fever exceeds 102º F, has no obvious cause, or lasts more than three days (two days for an infant).
- An ear infection leads to mucus draining out of the ear.
- The throat looks fiery red or has white spots.
- Your child swallowed or ate something dangerous.
- The injury is a sprain or suspected fracture with swelling.
- A cut needs stitches.
- Your child fell and hit his or her head or was hit in the head with an object.
- Your child is throwing up so much that water or other beverages are not staying down and dehydration is a concern.
- Your child’s pediatrician isn’t available on weekends or on a weekday when you need your child to see a doctor.
When Should You Go to the ER
Sometimes, it’s better to go straight to the ER. If your child is struggling to breathe after contracting a virus like COVID or the flu, head to the hospital. For poisonings, severe burns, or bad fractures where the bone is clearly separated or coming through the skin go straight to an ER.
Save Time When Going to Urgent Care
Premium Urgent Care provides online check-in to save time. Before you leave your home, complete the online check-in form and get on the patient list. We’ll be ready when you arrive. Online forms are also available if you want to get the paperwork done in advance and hasten the registration process.