Emergency Medicine (Pediatrics)

Emergency conditions

If your child is experiencing an emergency or any of the following symptoms, dial 911 and seek medical attention immediately.

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe burns
• Sudden slurred speech
• Uncontrolled bleeding

When your little one isn't feeling quite right, you should contact their primary care doctor first. Their primary care doctor can advise you on how to care for them.

Urgent care may be necessary if your doctor is unavailable, your child needs immediate attention, or if recommended by your doctor.

Where to go for care

When to call your child's primary care physician

When your little one is unwell but does not need emergency care, their primary care doctor is a great place to start. They can provide guidance and care for minor issues like sore throats, earaches, rashes and minor cuts, and any other conditions they already partner with you to manage. They typically have a few appointments a day put aside for sick or urgent concerns. Because they you and your child so well they can provide personalized guidance to help your kid feel better as soon as possible.

When to go to an urgent care center

You should visit an urgent care center when you have a health issue and your primary care physician is unavailable. Urgent care treats non-emergency conditions.

When to go to the emergency department

Visit an emergency department if you need immediate care for an emergency condition. Call 911 immediately if you have a life-threatening situation, such as chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty speaking or breathing, thoughts of self-harm or other major trauma.