Visit the emergency room, urgent care or pediatrician?

When you have a sick child, it may be difficult to discern whether the illness warrants a doctor or emergency room visit. Caroline Olaleye, MD, a pediatrician at UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, explains when to take a sick child to the emergency room or urgent care or schedule an appointment with a doctor.

Go to the ER if your child:

» Has a broken bone, especially if there is a visible bump or deformity. That can expedite care with a specialist like an orthopedic surgeon.

» Suffers a head injury, loss of consciousness or a seizure.

» Has a cut that won’t stop bleeding to prevent excessive blood loss and to evaluate whether stitches will be needed.

» Is suffering a severe allergic reaction with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and change in responsiveness.

» Is younger than 2 months old with a fever over 100.4F.

Schedule a doctor's visit if your child:

» Is sick and you are concerned about an exposure to COVID-19, you should call your child’s pediatrician. The doctor will conduct a screening over the phone and may recommend testing.

» Is experiencing lingering cold symptoms.

» Has sustained an injury but is not in acute pain.

» May have an allergy. A pediatrician can make an assessment and may recommend allergy testing or a referral.

» Needs routine immunizations, school and sports physicals, and wellness visits.

» If you’re registered on MyChart, you can schedule an appointment, often for the same day. You can also send a message to the physician or nurse on call through the MyChart system and receive an answer within 24-48 hours. Video visits are also available. With the use of this technology, providers are available to assess symptoms, make a diagnosis, recommend treatment and send prescriptions to your pharmacy over video.

When should I take my child to urgent care?

Urgent care facilities can provide outpatient care for acute and chronic illnesses and injuries. Most urgent care clinics are available after hours, so it can be a convenient option if your pediatrician’s office is closed. However, make sure the urgent care location you intend to visit can treat children. Generally, you should take your child to a pediatric urgent care if he or she is older than 2 months old and is experiencing a fever with cold symptoms or if you suspect that your child has an ear infection, strep throat, or pink eye.