While your son or daughter's pediatrician is typically the first person you'd call when your child becomes ill or suffers a minor injury, the doctor's office isn't open 24-hours a day. Additionally, the sickness might not be serious enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room. Below is a list of five occasions when it's best to seek treatment from a pediatric urgent care.

Common Cold or Flu

One of the benefits of visiting urgent care for children is their ability to test for the flu. The doctor will be able to determine whether your little one has a cold, the flu, or even allergy symptoms and prescribe the appropriate treatment. The physician will also check to see if the illness progressed into strep throat or an ear infection. 

Nosebleeds or Objects in the Nasal Passage

Young kids are often curious and it isn't uncommon for them to stick a small toy or piece of food up into one of their nostrils. As long as the child is breathing okay, an urgent care visit is warranted. The doctor has tools to remove the object so your little one can return home and continue playing. Pediatric urgent care centers are also equipped to handle nosebleeds, which may be caused by dry air or even a scratch that was the result of the child picking his or her nose.  

Sprains or Small Breaks

Urgent care centers have additional equipment that you don't often see in a pediatrician's office. X-ray machines are able to identify whether your child suffered a small break as a result of a fall. If the little one simply sprained their arm or foot, the doctor can also treat that as well. Elastic bandages, splints, and even removable casts are all devices urgent care for children stock on a regular basis.

Urinary and Kidney Tract Infections

Until children learn how to wipe properly, it is common for them to suffer from the occasional urinary or kidney tract infection. Symptoms include a fever, pain or burning when urinating, and an urge to urinate more frequently. A little one may also complain of abdominal pain or you may notice the urine is cloudy or has a tinge of blood in it. Pediatric urgent care centers have the diagnostic tools and test strips to confirm the infection. Afterward, an antibiotic can be prescribed to rid the body of the painful infection. 

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