Updates

Texas Children’s Urgent Cares Urgent Care vs Emergency Care

<p>Urgent Care vs Emergency Care</p>

More than half of visits to the emergency room are for non-emergencies. How do parents know when to bring their child to a pediatric urgent care clinic or a pediatric emergency room?  This guide can help.

Urgent care clinic

  • Flu/COVID-19 Test
  • Allergic reaction
  • Asthma
  • Cough, cold or congestion
  • Ear pain
  • Fever in infants older than 8 weeks
  • Pink eye
  • Rash
  • Skin infection
  • Simple laceration
  • Sore throat
  • Sprain and strain
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Minor burn
  • Minor injury

Emergency center

  • Bleeding that won’t stop
  • Extensive or complicated cuts or lacerations
  • Fainting or head injury with loss of consciousness or disorientation
  • Loss or change of vision
  • A major fracture that breaks the skin or is at a severe angle
  • Seizures without a previous diagnosis of epilepsy
  • Serious burns
  • Snake bites
  • Spinal injuries
  • Sudden change in mental state
  • Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Vomiting or coughing up blood

Any conditions which threaten a child’s life or limb should be treated at a pediatric emergency center, which can also provide initial stabilization for severely injured pediatric patients.