Common Childhood Illnesses and When To Take Your Child to Urgent Care
Kids get sick. They get injured, too. Winding up in children’s urgent care and going to the children’s doctor is part of growing up, and there is no way around it. Parents are constantly faced with decisions regarding the care and treatment of their children. When things go wrong and your child gets hurt or is sick you want to do whatever will get them healthy again as fast as you can.
Understanding the unique roles and services provided by urgent care for kids will help you provide the right course of action the next time your child gets sick or injured.
Common Illnesses, Injuries Needing a Children’s Doctor
While a trusted pediatrician is the foundation of your child’s overall health care, kids do not always get sick or injured within your children’s doctor’s office hours. An alternative to a trip to the ER when your child’s primary care physician is not available is a children’s urgent care facility that will treat your child for a wide range of illnesses and injuries, including:
- Asthma Attacks
- Broken Bones
- Common Cold
- Dizziness
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Infections
- Playground Injuries
- Rashes
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
When Should You Go to Children’s Urgent Care or the ER?
As a parent, it is sometimes a tough call whether to see if you can ride it out and treat what currently ails your child or seek professional medical care from a children’s doctor at an urgent care facility. It is wisest to err on the side of caution when dealing with your children’s health issues and care.
A children’s urgent care is set up to handle a wide range of pediatric urgent care services and treatments for mild to minor injuries and illnesses that require professional medical care.
If the injury or illness is severe enough that they cannot move or are in extreme pain or duress, do not hesitate to call 911 or take them right to the ER. Your child requires immediate medical care if they:
- Are bleeding severely
- Complain of unbearable pain
- Exhibit blood in their urine, stool, or vomit
- Experience severe allergic reactions
- Have a fever over 100.4
- Have trouble breathing
- Ingest any poisons or toxins
- Lose consciousness
What is the Difference Between Urgent Care for Kids and Adults?
Children and adults can both receive quality non-emergency care for a wide range of illnesses and injuries. Kids can go to just about any urgent care facility and get the care and treatment they need. However, a facility specifically designed as an urgent care for kids will have additional features that cater to the needs of children.
There is always a pediatrician available backed by a staff of specially trained nurses and PAs experienced in diagnosing and treating common children’s ailments and accidents. There are some urgent care centers that do not treat children, so it is best to ask first or go to a designated children’s urgent care facility.
Duke City Provides Comprehensive Urgent Care for Kids
At Duke City Urgent Care, our team of children’s urgent care providers work as one to help you and your child feel cared for and begin feeling better soon. Call right away at (505) 814-1995