How do I get care for my sick child?
Same Day Sick Appointments
When your child is sick, you want to help them feel better and get them on the road to healing. We do too!
We offer sick appointments EVERYDAY we are open so parents can quickly get access to sound medical advice and to start any treatments if needed.
Same day sick appointments are available Monday – Saturday. We make every effort to schedule appointments for sick children on the day that you call us. If we do not have any more available appointments, we will get you scheduled for the next day or refer you to the appropriate facility as necessary. Sick appointments can be in person and via a video visit (Telehealth) by appointment.
When the office is closed, please call to get information regarding reaching the on-call provider.
Please also use our symptom checker below to learn more and help you decide if your child's illness needs urgent attention.
Sick Child Visits FAQs
Click below to view the answer to commonly asked questions.
When does my child need immediate medical care?
Pediatric Hospitals/Urgent Care ClinicsWhile all the conditions often treated during a sick visit have the potential to need immediate care, some symptoms are red flags that your child needs quick medical attention.
If your child is experiencing any of the following severe symptoms, we recommend that you take them to the nearest emergency room or call 911:
- Difficulty breathing (not just congestion)
- Difficulty staying awake, extreme lethargy, or change in level of alertness
- Extreme irritability or uncontrollable crying
- Poor feeding with dehydration (resulting in a significant decrease in urination)
- Significant injury (including concussions with loss of consciousness or visible bone deformities)
- Severe pain that is not controlled by over-the-counter medication
- A temperature >100.4 (rectally) in an infant less than 3 months of age
We recommend you take your child to a pediatric emergency room. Please note that Franklin Square Hospital does NOT have a pediatric emergency room.
What Children's Conditions Can a Sick Visit Treat?
TelehealthSick visits treat many types of injuries and illnesses that need same-day or next-day medical care. Children’s symptoms can change quickly, so don’t hesitate to call if your child’s symptoms get worse.
Telemedicine is available for some types of illness or other extenuating circumstances. Generally, children with the following symptoms should be seen in our office:
- Fever in an infant less than 6 months
- Fever for > 3 days (any age)
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Rashes
- Persistent pain (stomach pain, headache, ear pain, or sore throat)
- Minor injuries
When Can I Schedule a Sick Visit?
You can schedule same-day sick visits any time the office is open, which includes every weekday, Saturday morning, and evening hours by appointment.
Please call the office so we can schedule a same day sick appointment. Telemedicine is available for some types of illness or other extenuating circumstances.
What Happens During a Sick Child Visit?
The goal of a sick child visit is to quickly diagnose the problem and determine if treatment is needed. In addition to reviewing your child’s symptoms and medical history, a sick visit may include a throat swab, nasal swab, blood tests, a urine test, and a physical exam that includes checking your child’s heart, neck, throat, and ears. Telemedicine appointments are an option when lab tests and a hands-on physical exam is not necessary.