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