When your kid is sick, you want expert care quick and close to home. And while many urgent care clinics treat children, a pediatric urgent care center is uniquely designed just for kids.
Dedicated kids' urgent care facilities, like our AdventHealth Centra Care Kids locations, are equipped with specialized equipment and staffed with health care professionals trained to work with children.
Below, learn more about pediatric urgent care, what to expect during a visit and when you should take your child to urgent care versus an emergency room.
Conditions Treated at a Pediatric Urgent Care
Our AdventHealth Centra Care Kids pediatric urgent care centers see children from birth up to 18 years old and provide same-day care for minor pediatric emergencies.
Our pediatric urgent care clinics treat a variety of health conditions, including the following:
- Minor injuries
- Animal bites
- Burns
- Cuts, scrapes and abrasions
- Fractures and broken bones
- Splinter removal
- Sprains and strains
- Respiratory illnesses
- Asthma flare-ups
- Bronchitis
- Colds and coughs
- Ear infections
- Respiratory infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Sinus infections
- Sore throats
- Fever and pain management
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
- Treatment for fever
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Constipation
- Dehydration
- Stomach flu (gastroenteritis)
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Allergic reactions
- Food allergies
- Insect stings or bites
- Mild allergic reactions, like skin rashes and hives
- Seasonal allergies
- Skin conditions
- Acne
- Athlete’s foot
- Poison ivy or poison oak
- Rashes, such as eczema or hives
- Ringworm
- Urinary and genital conditions
- Diaper rashes
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Infections
- Colds and flu-like symptoms
- Ear infections (otitis media)
- Hand, foot and mouth disease
- Impetigo
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Strep throat
We also offer vaccination services like catch-up shots for missed vaccines, flu shots and other childhood immunizations.
Benefits of Children’s Urgent Care
While we provide medical care for kids at any of our AdventHealth Centra Care clinics, we have two dedicated pediatric urgent care locations: AdventHealth Centra Care Kids Lake Mary and AdventHealth Centra Care Kids Winter Park.
Our pediatric urgent care centers treat children from birth up to 18 years of age and are staffed by board-certified pediatricians and other pediatric health care professionals.
Some of the benefits of bringing your child to a children’s urgent care include the following:
Convenience and Accessibility
Our locations are open seven days a week until 10 pm, making it easier for parents to access care during a non-life-threatening medical emergency when their child’s primary doctor may not be available.
Specialized Focus on Children
Our pediatric urgent care centers are designed to meet the unique needs of children, from age-appropriate treatments to child-friendly environments.
Faster Care for Non-Emergencies
Pediatric urgent care provides a quicker alternative to visiting the emergency room for non-life-threatening health issues.
Affordability
Most major health insurance plans generally cover visits to a pediatric urgent care center.
When to Visit Pediatric Urgent Care
Pediatric urgent care is also a great option when your child has a non-life-threatening health issue that needs immediate attention, but you can’t get an appointment with your usual AdventHealth pediatrician or primary care provider. Or when your child needs health care at night or on weekends, when their primary care office is closed.
Children’s Urgent Care Versus Emergency Rooms
It’s hard to see your child hurt or not feeling well, and if they’re crying or in pain, you may think the only place to go for fast care is the emergency room.
And if your child is experiencing a life-threatening health issue, such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, major injuries or has swallowed an item or something toxic, then they absolutely require emergency care. You should call 911 immediately or take them to your nearest ER.
However, if your kiddo has a non-life-threatening health problem like a fever, sore throat or mild injury, then your best bet is to choose pediatric urgent care.
What to Expect During a Visit to a Kids’ Urgent Care Clinic
Our AdventHealth Centra Care Kids urgent care centers are staffed by health care providers with expertise in treating children of all ages, from birth up to 18 years old.
You can walk into any location or make an appointment online.
Once you arrive and check in, our friendly staff will quickly assess your child’s health. During the exam, a board-certified pediatrician will take a quick medical history for your child and then examine them based on their complaints and symptoms.
Once the exam is complete, your pediatric urgent care doctor will provide the treatment your child needs. This can include prescriptions for medications — over-the-counter or from the pharmacy — stitches for minor cuts or splints for minor broken bones or sprains.
They’ll also discuss any follow-up care that might be necessary with your child’s pediatrician.
Choosing the Right Facility
Before you ever need them, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your closest children’s urgent care center.
This way you can also find out what it offers, such as:
- Available hours: Is the pediatric urgent care open seven days a week, during major holidays and late in the evenings?
- Insurance and payment options: Does the facility accept your health insurance, and what payment options are available?
Children’s Urgent Care: Here When You Need It
If your child gets sick or injured at night, on the weekend or on a major holiday, it’s comforting to know there is a place where you can immediately take them to get the treatment they need without waiting for a pediatrician appointment.
Pediatric urgent care centers offer a convenient, accessible and cost-effective option for parents and guardians when their child does not have life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
If you’d like to learn more about our AdventHealth Centra Care Kids location nearest you, contact us today to learn how our pediatric services can help your family’s littlest members.
