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A fever spike in the middle of the night, a cough that suddenly sounds worse or a hard fall on the playground - these are all things that can happen at the drop of a hat when raising children. During moments like these, parents and caregivers are often left wondering whether this requires a trip to the emergency room, urgent care or if it can wait to be seen at the pediatrician’s office. Understanding when to use each resource can help families feel more confident in caring for their children and helping them seek care at the right time.

The child’s pediatrician is a good place to start when things go wrong with your child, as they have been caring for your child throughout their life and know their baselines. Often, the pediatrician can help with a variety of illnesses, including cough, sore throat, rashes, ear pain or ongoing stomach discomfort. Given the familiarity with your child’s history, the pediatrician can help determine whether a higher level of care is needed based on the presentation.

Although the pediatrician is a great starting point, if they are closed or do not have an available appointment and you need your child to be seen promptly, an urgent care is the best option. Often, urgent care can be beneficial for minor injuries, simple cuts, mild asthma symptoms, sore throats or other non-life-threatening illnesses. Although urgent care can be a good alternative, not every urgent care specializes in treating children.

When your child is having a serious issue or a life-threatening condition, the emergency room is the best place to take your child. Conditions that require a visit to the emergency room can include difficulty breathing, severe dehydration, loss of consciousness, seizures, difficulty rousing your child or sudden blue or gray coloring around the lips or face. Parents know their child best. It is important to monitor the child's overall appearance and behavior. If your child is unusually sleepy, confused, struggling to breathe or rapidly getting worse, then an emergency evaluation may be needed even without an exact cause.

Knowing where to go may also depend on your child’s age. For example, if the child is under 3 months of age, a fever of 100.4°F requires prompt medical evaluation, often in an emergency department. Infants can become ill quickly and do not always present the same as older children and adults.

Caregivers know what normal behavior is for their child, so when something seems significantly different or concerning, they should seek medical advice rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe. When families are uncertain, calling the child’s pediatrician or an after-hours nurse line can often help determine the safest next step.

Understanding where to seek care gives families one more tool to confidently respond when their child is sick and helps ensure children receive the right care at the right time.

About the professor

Professor Patricia Ozuna, DNP, CPNP-AC, is the track leader and advisor for the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing. She is a certified pediatric acute care nurse practitioner and has worked in the Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit for the past 12 years.