Knowing When to Seek Care for Your Child: A Guide from LuskinOIC
As a parent, your top priority is keeping your child safe and healthy. But when your child is sick or injured, it can be hard to know what level of care they need. Should you call your pediatrician, visit urgent care, or head straight to the emergency department?
When to Call Your Pediatrician or Visit Urgent Care
For non-emergencies, your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric urgent care center is often the best place to start. If your child’s doctor isn’t available—such as during evenings or weekends—urgent care can provide fast, effective treatment. Contact your pediatrician or visit urgent care if your child has:
- A fever lasting more than 3 days
- A fever over 102°F for more than 2 days in an infant, without a clear cause
- Symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, runny nose)
- Minor injuries like sprains, strains, or swelling
- Cuts that may need stitches
- Minor burns
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Bladder or urinary tract infections
- Cold symptoms, coughs, or sore throats
- Earaches or sinus pain
- Skin concerns like rashes or irritation
You may also have access to virtual urgent care for non-emergency issues, allowing your child to be seen by a provider from home. Check if pediatric virtual urgent care services are available in your area.
When to Go to the Emergency Department
If your child is seriously injured or ill—especially if the condition may be life-threatening or needs immediate attention—take them to the emergency department (ED). Seek emergency care if your child:
- Is extremely drowsy, hard to wake, or behaving unusually
- Is experiencing severe or constant pain
- Has trouble breathing, or is breathing rapidly or deeply
- Has a suspected broken bone, a visibly deformed limb, or a lot of swelling and pain
- Has a deep or large cut, a cut that won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure, or a wound on the head, chest, or abdomen
- Sustains a head injury that causes vomiting, confusion, a severe headache, or loss of consciousness
- Falls from a significant height
- Ingests a harmful substance or medication
- If your child is alert, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222
- If your child is unresponsive, having trouble breathing, or has collapsed, call 911
- Is under 2 months old and has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (call your doctor first)
- Has a high fever along with a stiff neck or headache
- Has a fever along with a widespread purple or red rash
- Shows signs of severe dehydration (no wet diapers, sunken eyes, dry mouth, weakness, or inability to drink or respond)
Your child’s health matters. When in doubt, trust your instincts—and don’t hesitate to seek care. LuskinOIC is here to support your family with trusted pediatric expertise every step of the way.
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