Article

When to Take a Child to Urgent Care

Written by Marshall Littman

Topic: Medical Advice and ResourcesPublished March 12, 2010
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Life with children is full of unexpected surprises. Children do not naturally consider their health and well-being, but the child's wellness is typically the first priority of most parents. Caring parents want to ensure that their children are safe, secure, and enjoy good health, but this can be a very challenging task. Because children are curious and lack many of the inhibitions that would otherwise keep them from harm, children are prone to injury. Children are also notorious for sharing their germs with one another, and this can often lead to illness and disease. In many cases, parents may not know what type of medical treatment or the level of medical intervention their child needs.
When a child becomes sick or is injured parents often panic and are not sure what to do. They may be unsure of whether the child needs emergency care, urgent care, or treatment from a San Diego pediatrician. The type of medical care the child needs will depend on the severity of the injury or sickness the child is experiencing. Emergency care becomes necessary when the child is facing a life-threatening or potentially life-threatening injury that requires immediate medical treatment. If a child is suffering from a condition that does not require immediate medical treatment and can wait until an appointment with the pediatrician can be scheduled, it will best to make an appointment with a San Diego pediatrician. Some conditions fall in between emergency and non-emergency care. In these cases, urgent care may be utilized.

Urgent care, such as that offered by the children's physicians medical group, can help parents better manage their child's wellness. Pediatric urgent care San Diego is specifically designed to treat children experiencing symptoms or injuries that require minor emergency care. This may include things such as fever, diarrhea, respiratory distress, and dehydration. Still, parents may not quite know how to differentiate when emergency care or urgent care is needed. The following are conditions that can be successfully treated using San Diego urgent care:
- Minor injuries (sprains, strains, simple fractures, bites)
- Minor cuts or lacerations
- Skin Rashes
- Urinary tract infections
- Fever or flu (sore throats, headaches, body aches, upset stomach)
- Irritated or red eyes
Pediatric urgent care specialists can provide wellness services to children of all ages. If San Diego pediatric urgent care cannot provide the medical services or treatment the child requires, the child will be referred for emergency services.
Urgent care services, like those provided by the children's physicians medical group, are ideal for non-life threatening injuries that require immediate medical treatment. While urgent care is not suitable for all pediatric injuries and illnesses, this type of wellness care is perfect for medical situations that arise outside of a San Diego pediatrician's normal operating hours. Urgent care provides parents with the opportunity to get top-notch medical treatment for their child's non-life threatening, mild illness or injury. Urgent care in San Diego is provided by organizations such as the children's physicians medical group.

Article author

About the Author

Dr. Marshall J. Littman is a San Diego Pediatrician who has been in practice for 35 years. He is also a member of Children's Physicians Medical Group.

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