The decision between urgent care and the emergency department is based on the severity of the injury or sickness and whether it is life-threatening or not. Urgent care facilities do not handle life-threatening illnesses; these disorders must be treated immediately in an emergency room. Urgent care facilities can treat practically any other non life-threatening ailment, including:

• Flu
• Sprains & strains
• Asthma
• Injuries that need stitches
• Pink eye
• Allergies
• Minor burns
• Stomach problems
• Poison ivy
• UTIs, etc.

Pediatric urgent care facilities can give medications when necessary, but long-term drugs and therapies should always be prescribed by your child’s doctor.

Many pediatric urgent care clinics offer diagnostic and lab tests, but not all do. If you believe your kid requires diagnostic services, visit the urgent care website to see what they have to offer. Many children’s urgent care clinics feature in-house laboratories and diagnostic technologies. On-site blood work, scans, and other diagnostics are also usually available.

Pediatric urgent care facilities often offer the same services as adult urgent care facilities. This might cover common injuries, diseases, and disorders, as well as diagnostic services, home care, and follow-up information.