When To Seek Urgent Care For Your Child

Every parent's top priority is their children's health and well-being. You take every precaution to care for and nurture them from the minute they are born; but since kids can get sick or have accidents, there are times when you have to make important choices regarding their medical care.  It's important for every parent to know when to take their child to urgent care.  Continue reading for medical conditions that are treated at Priority Pediatric and symptoms to look out for, so you know when it’s time to seek medical care.

Ear Infections: Ear infections are common in children and can be quite painful. Symptoms include ear pain, difficulty sleeping, fever, and sometimes fluid drainage from the ear. A child might also show signs of trouble hearing or display irritability and crying. If these symptoms are persistent, it's important to seek urgent care.

Upper Respiratory Infections: These infections include common colds, influenza, and RSV bronchiolitis. Symptoms often involve coughing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever. Difficulty in breathing, high fever, or signs of dehydration warrant a visit to urgent care.

Pharyngitis or Sore Throat: While often a symptom of a cold, pharyngitis can also be caused by bacterial infections like strep throat. Look for a sore, red throat, difficulty swallowing, and fever. Scarlet fever is accompanied by a red rash and is caused by strep throat. Seek urgent care evaluation for strep throat testing.

Persistent Vomiting and Diarrhea: These symptoms can lead to dehydration, which is particularly dangerous in children. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, lack of tears, and decreased urine output. If your child is unable to keep fluids down, shows signs of dehydration, or has bloody stool, they should be seen by a healthcare professional urgently.

Lacerations and Wounds: Accidents happen, and lacerations can occur. If your child sustains a deep cut or wound, it's important to seek medical attention promptly. Urgent care can provide proper cleaning, suturing, or other necessary interventions to prevent infection and promote healing.

Fever: Fever in a child can indicate an underlying infection. It's particularly concerning in infants under 3 months old. In older children, seek urgent care if the fever is above 104°F, persists for more than a couple of days, or is accompanied by other symptoms like rash, difficulty breathing, or change in activity level.

Allergic Reactions: Mild allergic reactions may include rashes or hives. However, if your child experiences swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, or signs of anaphylaxis, immediate medical attention is necessary and you should call 911.

In conclusion, knowing when to seek urgent care for your child can significantly affect their health and well-being. It's important to monitor the child's overall behavior and other symptoms that may accompany the conditions above. When in doubt, a quick consultation with our pediatrician can provide guidance on the appropriate course of action.   At Priority Pediatrics, we offer a wide range of same or next day pediatric urgent care services, ensuring that your child receives the appropriate care when they need it most.