During the school year, children are high risk of getting sick since they are exposed to different germs throughout the day. The average child catches between six to 10 colds a year, and data from the 2014 Data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) revealed that 8.4% of U.S. children suffered from hay fever, 10% from respiratory allergies, 5.4% from food allergies, and 11.6% from skin allergies.

It’s heartbreaking whenever your child is sick or hurt, and if both you and your spouse have full time jobs it can be difficult to see a pediatrician to get medicine you need for a child. Luckily there are many nearby urgent care centers that have pediatricians on staff that can take care of your child and save you a lengthy trip to the emergency room.

It’s important to know when to go to urgent care or when to go to the emergency room for affordable care and most importantly, your child’s health and safety. According to a private study conducted by Millian, approximately 44-65% of all ER episodes could have been treated in urgent care clinic settings. There are many symptoms or illness that can be treated at a nearby urgent care that will save you time and money, but it is important to know what services they offer beforehand so that you can make the right decision when your child is sick.

A nearby urgent care can provide many pediatric care services at more affordable cost than a trip to the emergency room. If your child has a common cold, the flu, pink eye, an allergic reaction that doesn’t initiate trouble breathing, minor cuts or burns, or hand foot and mouth disease, you can find excellent and fast care at a nearby urgent care. Four out of five urgent care centers even provide fracture care.

If your child is having chest pains, has a severe broken bone that has punctured the skin, poisoning, severe headaches or numbness, then it is best to take your child to the emergency room. It is important to know that your closest emergency room will take patients in order from most urgent need to least. If your child is having one of these symptoms they will most likely find fast treatment, but if it is just a cold minor fracture, you might not see the emergency pediatrician for a few hours, while a nearby urgent care could get you in and out in less time.

It all comes down to what you believe is best for your child when facing an illness or medical emergency. Don’t hesitate if you believe there is a reason to go to the emergency room, but if you know that it is a sickness that will go away in a week or less, then try looking up a nearby urgent care center and see what services they offer.