When Should You Visit Pediatric Urgent Care for Your Child?

You should bring your child to SoCal Urgent Care if they have a high fever that isn’t responding to medication, or lasts more than a couple of days—especially for infants and young children. Trouble breathing, wheezing, persistent coughing, or sudden shortness of breath should also be evaluated by our experienced medical team right away.

If your child has a deep cut, a wound that won’t stop bleeding, or you suspect a broken bone, our urgent care center can provide stitches, wound care, and X-rays as needed. Other symptoms to watch for include severe abdominal pain, ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, or fewer wet diapers.

Bring your child for unusual drowsiness, unresponsiveness, persistent crying, or sudden behavioral changes. Rashes that spread rapidly, are accompanied by fever, or appear as bruises or small red or purple spots should also be checked immediately.

If your child has swallowed a potentially harmful substance or object, or is having a mild to moderate allergic reaction with swelling of the lips, tongue, or trouble swallowing, our team can help. However, for life-threatening symptoms—including severe difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, seizures, or choking—please call 911 or go directly to the emergency room.

At SoCal Urgent Care, we understand how important it is for children to receive timely and specialized medical attention—especially when your child’s primary care doctor is unavailable. Our experienced team is trained to manage a wide range of childhood illnesses and injuries, providing expert care right when your family needs it most.

Whether your child is suffering from common illnesses like ear infections, strep throat, fevers, colds, or the flu, SoCal Urgent Care offers rapid evaluation and treatment. Our providers can perform on-site diagnostic tests, such as rapid strep or flu tests, and prescribe the right medications or supportive care to help your child recover quickly and comfortably.

In the case of minor injuries—such as cuts, sprains, minor fractures, or burns—our clinic is fully equipped to deliver immediate care. We provide services including wound cleaning, stitches, splinting, and pain management, helping to minimize complications and give parents peace of mind.

Choosing SoCal Urgent Care means you can avoid the long wait times and higher costs typically associated with emergency rooms. Our extended hours, including evenings and weekends, ensure that your child receives prompt attention.

We bridge the gap between routine pediatrician visits and emergency care, delivering the right level of medical attention quickly and efficiently for many common pediatric health concerns.

Common pediatric conditions we treat at SoCal Urgent Care include respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, mild asthma attacks, and mild pneumonia. We also care for ear infections, sore throats, strep throat, and pink eye. Our team can evaluate and manage minor injuries such as cuts needing stitches, sprains, strains, minor burns, and simple fractures.

In addition, we handle fevers, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, mild allergic reactions, rashes, and urinary tract infections in children. Our clinic is equipped to provide care for most non-life-threatening conditions, making us a convenient alternative when your child’s pediatrician is unavailable or when you need care outside of regular office hours.

Deciding when to seek urgent care for your child’s fever or cold symptoms can be stressful for any parent. At SoCal Urgent Care, we are here to help you make the right decision for your family’s health. In many cases, mild fevers and cold symptoms can be managed at home with plenty of rest, fluids, and the appropriate over-the-counter medications, as advised by your pediatrician. However, there are important situations when a visit to SoCal Urgent Care is recommended.

When to Visit SoCal Urgent Care for Pediatric Fever or Cold Symptoms:

• Infants under 3 months: If your baby is younger than three months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, they should be evaluated promptly at our clinic. Young infants are more susceptible to serious infections and require immediate attention.
• Older infants and children: Bring your child to SoCal Urgent Care if their fever lasts more than three to five days, or if the fever is very high (above 104°F or 40°C).

Other Symptoms that Warrant Urgent Care:

• Trouble breathing, rapid or labored breathing, or bluish lips/face
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, very little urine, no tears when crying)
• Lethargy, difficulty waking your child, or unusual drowsiness
• Severe or persistent pain, seizures, or a stiff neck

If your child has a chronic medical condition, such as asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, it’s important to visit SoCal Urgent Care sooner if they develop a fever or severe cold symptoms. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 710 S Brookhurst St. Suite A, Anaheim, CA 92804. We serve patients from Anaheim CA, Buena Park CA, La Palma CA, Cerritos CA, Placentia CA, Stanton CA, and surrounding areas.