Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Urgent Care
As a parent, protecting your child from harm and ensuring they stay healthy and happy is always the top priority. However, no matter how many precautions you take, accidents and illnesses can still happen. When your child suddenly gets sick or suffers an injury, it can be difficult to know whether you should head to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic. Read on to learn more about pediatric urgent care and how to decide whether to visit an urgent care clinic or the emergency room for your child’s condition.
Pediatric Urgent Care 101
Midwest Express Clinic Urgent Care specializes in treating non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries in children and adults. With 50+ locations open daily, we offer convenient, immediate care for situations that require prompt medical attention but are not severe enough for an emergency room visit.
Common pediatric conditions and injuries that can be treated at our clinics include:
- Fevers, cough, and sore throat: If your child has a fever, cough or sore throat that’s not improving after a day or two, or if symptoms worsen suddenly, an urgent care visit may be helpful. Providers can rule out infections like strep throat, flu or COVID-19.
- Minor cuts, burns, and injuries: Small cuts, burns, and wounds that require stitches but aren’t life-threatening can often be treated at our clinics. Our experienced providers are also trained in diagnosing and treating minor sprains and fractures.
- Rashes and skin infections: Rashes can appear suddenly due to a variety of causes, including allergic reactions, skin infections, and other irritants. If the rash is spreading or accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or swelling, a visit to any of our clinics can help with mitigating the symptoms until the skin heals.
- Ear and eye infections: Our urgent care is a great option for diagnosing and treating ear infections, pink eye and other infections commonly found in children that don’t require emergency treatment.
- Vomiting or diarrhea: If your child is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea without severe dehydration or lethargy, our urgent care is an excellent resource to get prompt treatment.
MEC Kids Sky Room
Benefits Of Pediatric Urgent Care
- Child-friendly environment: From the waiting rooms to the medical staff, the entire atmosphere at Midwest Express Clinic is made to help patients — especially kids — feel comfortable and relaxed.
- Shorter wait times: Compared to the emergency room, our clinics often have shorter wait times, which saves you time and ensures your child gets prompt medical care.
- Extended operating hours: All of our locations are open after normal pediatric office hours, including evenings and weekends, giving you access to care when your child’s pediatrician is unavailable.
MEC Kids Art Room
When to Go to The Emergency Room
While our clinics are designed to handle minor to moderate health issues, for more severe cases, an emergency room visit is necessary. You should go to the ER if your child is experiencing:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe allergic reactions
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Severe head injuries or trauma
- Seizures
- Severe dehydration
What To Expect During Your Urgent Care Visit
At Midwest Express Clinic, we welcome walk-ins—no appointment needed! You can also save time by checking in online. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, to make your visit more convenient.
For a smooth visit, be sure to bring your child’s medical records, including immunization history and any known allergies. When you arrive, our compassionate medical team will assess your child’s condition and create a personalized treatment plan. If needed, we may perform basic lab tests, X-Rays, or prescribe medication.
Since an urgent care visit can sometimes feel unfamiliar or overwhelming for children, we recommend bringing along a favorite toy, blanket, or book to help keep them comfortable during the exam.
MEC Kids Space Room
Find Comprehensive Pediatric Urgent Care at Midwest Express Clinic
Pediatric urgent care serves as a valuable bridge between your regular pediatrician’s office and the emergency room. If your child is in need of pediatric urgent care for a non-emergency illness or injury, look no further than Midwest Express Clinic. To find urgent care near you, visit midwestexpressclinic.com/locations.
