Skip to nav Skip to content

Does my child need primary care, urgent care, or emergency care?

If your child's illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Let our guide help you decide.

Sometimes it is hard to know what level of care your child needs. The following information will help you make that decision.

When to Visit Your Pediatrician

Visit your child's primary care pediatrician for any of the following conditions:

  • Allergies
  • Allergic reactions (no breathing problems)
  • Asthma attack (minor)
  • Burn (minor)
  • Cold
  • Cough
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Earache and ear infection
  • Fever over 100.5 (children over 2 months old)
  • Headache
  • Head injury (minor and without loss of conciousness)
  • Insect or minor dog bite
  • Mental health concerns - Non-urgent (depression, anxiety, etc.)
  • Nausea
  • Pink eye
  • Pnemonia
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Sprain or strain
  • Stomach pain (mild)
  • Swallowing an object (for possible button battery ingestion go to the closest emergency center.
  • Urinary infection
When to Visit an Urgent Care Center

Visit your nearest urgent care center for any of the following conditions:

  • Allergies
  • Allergic reactions (no breathing problems)
  • Asthma attack (minor)
  • Broken bone (not sticking out of skin)
  • Burn (minor)
  • Cast issues (soiled or wet)
  • Cold
  • Cough
  • Cut (needs stitches)
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Earache and ear infection
  • Fever over 100.5 (children over 2 months old)
  • Headache
  • Head injury (minor and without loss of consciousness)
  • Insect or minor dog bite
  • Nausea
  • Pink eye
  • Pneumonia
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Sprain or strain
  • Stomach pain (mild)
  • Swallowing object (for a possible button battery ingestion go to the nearest emergency center)
  • Urinary infection
When to Visit the Emergency Department

Visit your nearest emergency department if your child has any of the following conditions:

  • Asthma attack (severe)
  • Bleeding that won't stop
  • Broken bone (sticking out of the skin)
  • Burn (severe)
  • Button battery ingestion
  • Cut (severe)
  • Dehydration
  • Fainting
  • Fever over 100.5 (infants less than 2 months old)
  • Head injury (with loss of consciousness)
  • Mental health concerns - Emergency (violent behavior and suicidal thoughts)
  • Migraine headache not responding to medication at home
  • Poisoning (call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222
  • Seizure
  • Shock
  • Sickle cell disease with pain crisis or fever
  • Stomach pain (severe)
  • Trouble breathing
Patient checkup with Dr. Palmer at General Academic Pediatrics

Primary Care Pediatricians

Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters has been the region’s most trusted name in pediatric care for more than 50 years. But these days, we’re much More Than a Hospital. Through a network of dedicated pediatric providers who work in over two dozen locations throughout the region, CHKD provides all the care kids need.

Exterior of a CHKD Urgent Care center.

Urgent Care

Skilled, convenient, and affordable healthcare just for infants, children, and teens. Walk-in appointments are welcome, but we encourage you to check wait times and save your spot online before heading to one of our urgent care centers. Most insurances are accepted.

Pediatric ambulance outside CHKD Emergency Entrance.

Emergency Care

CHKD's Emergency Center is home to the first and only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in Hampton Roads, offering the highest level of care available to trauma patients under the age of 15. Our comprehensive team of pediatric emergency medicine specialists are ready to care for the unique needs of children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Patient and parent using tablet to access myCHKD.

MyCHKD Patient Portal

MyCHKD offers secure, online access to your child's health information as well as tools to help you communicate more efficiently with your CHKD provider's office. If you haven't done so already, please register for a MyCHKD account in person at your provider's office.