You’re never quite prepared for when your child gets sick or injured. But knowing the difference between urgent care and the emergency room could save you time and money.
While both urgent care and the ER can provide medical treatment for illnesses and injuries, there are some key differences to keep in mind.
When to Bring Your Child to Urgent Care
Urgent care is a type of walk-in clinic that provides medical treatment for non-life-threatening conditions. They’re often open later than your primary care pediatrician’s office, and they can often provide treatment on weekends.
Some common reasons to visit urgent care include:
- Minor cuts or scrapes that may need stitches
- Sprains and strains
- Ear infections
- Sore throats
- Rashes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Urinary tract infections
- Fever under 102 degrees Fahrenheit (if child is older than three months)
- Fever under 100 degrees Fahrenheit (if child is three months or younger)
When in doubt about whether your child needs medical attention, always err on the side of caution and bring your child to a Deerfield Beach urgent care center if you’re worried about their condition. The pediatric urgent care professionals can assess your child and provide the appropriate level of care.
When to Bring Your Child to the Emergency Room
The emergency room (ER) is equipped to handle life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Thorough training and experience with handling major traumas along with access to advanced medical equipment mean that the ER is prepared for just about anything.
If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they should be seen in the emergency room immediately:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Signs of a stroke (weakness, paralysis, or slurred speech)
- Fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or above (if child is older than three months)
- Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above (if child is three months or younger)
If you’re not sure whether your child’s symptoms are serious enough to warrant a trip to the ER, try calling a pediatric urgent care center first. They can provide guidance and recommendations for the best course of action.
Urgent Care vs ER for Pediatric Health Issues
No parent wants to see their child suffer, but knowing when to bring them to urgent care or the ER can be tricky. In general, urgent care is for non-life-threatening conditions that need prompt attention but don’t require the 24/7 services of the ER. The ER should be reserved for serious illnesses and injuries that are a threat to your child’s life or health.
If your child is in need of acute medical care for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries, Hillsboro Urgent Care can help. As a trusted Deerfield Beach urgent care center, we’re here to provide quality pediatric care when your child needs it most. Walk-ins are always welcome, or you can call our office to schedule an appointment.
