PEDIATRIC SERVICES NEAR ME: COMMON ILLNESSES, INJURIES, INFECTIONS, VACCINATIONS & IMMEDIATE CARE

Your child wakes up with a fever. Your toddler falls and scrapes their knee. Your school-age child is complaining of an earache. As a parent, you want fast, trustworthy medical care when your child is sick or injured. You also want to know when something can wait and when it needs immediate attention.

At Mederi Urgent Care, our pediatric services team specializes in treating children from infants through teenagers. This guide covers the common illnesses and injuries we see, explains what vaccinations your child needs and when, and most importantly, tells you exactly when to bring your child in for care and when to go straight to an emergency room. Having this information helps you make confident decisions about your child's health.

Common Childhood Illnesses We Treat

Most childhood illnesses are minor and pass with rest and time. But knowing what to expect helps you care for your child and decide when medical attention is needed.

Cold and Flu

Colds and flu are viral infections that cause runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sometimes fever. Colds usually appear gradually over a few days. Flu often hits suddenly with high fever, body aches, and fatigue. Most colds resolve in 7 to 10 days. Flu typically lasts 5 to 7 days, though the cough can linger longer. At home: Keep your child hydrated, use a humidifier, and give over-the-counter fever reducers if needed. Let them rest. Seek our care if your child has difficulty breathing, severe symptoms, or signs of bacterial infection like thick yellow mucus from the nose or cough that gets worse. Learn more in our guide on Is It the Flu or Just a Cold?.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are common in children, especially after colds. Signs include tugging at the ear, fever, drainage, or complaints of ear pain. Some children cry more than usual or have trouble sleeping. Not all ear infections need antibiotics. Some improve on their own. Your provider will determine if medication is necessary. At home: Give pain relief, apply a warm compress, and monitor the ear for drainage. Bring your child in if pain is severe, fever is high, or symptoms last more than 24 hours. Read our full guide on ear infection treatment for more details.

Sore Throat and Strep Throat

A sore throat usually comes from a viral infection and goes away on its own in 3 to 5 days. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. Signs of strep include sudden severe sore throat, fever above 101 degrees, white spots on the tonsils, and sometimes a rash. Your provider can test for strep with a quick throat swab. At home: Give throat lozenges, cool drinks, and pain relievers. Soft foods feel better than hard foods. Bring your child in for any sore throat that lasts more than 24 hours or comes with high fever. See our guide on recurrent strep throat if it keeps coming back.

Stomach Flu and Vomiting

Stomach flu is usually viral and causes vomiting, diarrhea, and belly pain. Most cases resolve in 24 to 48 hours. The main concern is dehydration. Give small sips of water, electrolyte drinks, or ice chips. Avoid dairy and heavy foods until symptoms pass. Seek care if your child cannot keep any fluids down, has signs of dehydration (no tears when crying, dry mouth, no urine for 6 hours), or has blood in vomit or stool. For more guidance, see our post on what to eat, drink, and avoid when you have the stomach flu.

Cough

Coughs from viral infections are common and often last longer than other symptoms. A dry cough may come from a cold or flu. A wet cough with mucus suggests a respiratory infection. Croup causes a barky, seal-like cough and usually happens in toddlers at night. At home: Use a humidifier, give honey (for children over 1 year), and keep your child hydrated. Do not suppress coughs with medications unless your provider recommends it. Seek care if your child has high fever with cough, breathing difficulty, or cough lasting more than 2 weeks.

Injuries in Children

Children are active and accidents happen. Most childhood injuries are minor. Mederi Urgent Care treats cuts, scrapes, sprains, and other injuries without requiring a hospital visit.

Cuts and Scrapes

Minor cuts and scrapes are part of childhood. Clean the wound with water, remove dirt gently, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage. Change the bandage daily. Watch for signs of infection like increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus. Bring your child in if a cut is deep, gaping open, longer than one-quarter inch, on the face or hand, or will not stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure. Your child may need stitches. See our minor injury treatment guide for more details.

Falls and Bumps

Children fall often. Most bumps cause minor bruising. Ice the area for 20 minutes to reduce swelling. Give pain relievers if your child is uncomfortable. Most bruises fade over 2 to 3 weeks. Seek immediate care if your child hit their head and is drowsy, confused, vomiting, or having seizures. Also seek care for any fall where your child cannot move a limb, has severe pain, or there is visible deformity.

Sprains and Strains

Active children sometimes twist ankles or pull muscles. Apply ice, compress with a bandage, elevate, and rest. Most mild sprains improve in 1 to 2 weeks. If your child cannot put weight on the limb, cannot move it, or swelling worsens, bring them in for evaluation.

Burns

Cool a burn under cool running water for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not use ice. Apply a burn gel and cover with gauze. Watch for signs of infection. Seek care if the burn is larger than 1 inch, is blistering heavily, is on the face or genitals, or the skin looks white or charred.

Infections and When to Seek Care

Children get infections frequently because their immune systems are still developing. Some infections are viral and improve on their own. Others are bacterial and need antibiotics.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs cause pain or burning with urination, frequent urination, bedwetting in previously toilet-trained children, fever, and belly pain. Boys get UTIs less often than girls. Any suspected UTI needs prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent kidney infection. Bring your child in if you suspect a UTI. We will test urine to confirm and prescribe antibiotics if needed.

Skin Infections and Rashes

Children get various rashes from viral infections, allergies, heat, or contact with irritants. Most rashes improve on their own. However, some rashes signal serious conditions. Any rash with fever, especially if the rash does not turn white when you press it, needs immediate evaluation. Fungal infections like ringworm or yeast cause itchy, scaly patches or red, moist areas. We treat these with topical or oral medications depending on the location and severity.

Eye Infections and Conjunctivitis

Pink eye causes redness, discharge, and sometimes swelling. Viral conjunctivitis is contagious but usually improves in 7 to 10 days. Bacterial conjunctivitis needs antibiotic eye drops. Allergic conjunctivitis responds to allergy medications and cool compresses. Bring your child in if eyes are red, swollen, or draining. Do not delay if vision seems affected or if there is eye pain.

Vaccinations: Keeping Your Child Protected

Vaccinations are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect your child from serious diseases. The vaccination schedule starts at birth and continues through adolescence. Staying on schedule gives your child the best protection.

Vaccination Schedule for Children

Birth: Hepatitis B. 2 months: DTaP, IPV, PCV13, Rotavirus, Hib. 4 months: DTaP, IPV, PCV13, Rotavirus, Hib. 6 months: DTaP, IPV, PCV13, Rotavirus, Hib, Influenza. 12-15 months: PCV13 booster, Hib booster, Measles, Mumps, Rubella. 15-18 months: DTaP booster. 4-6 years: DTaP booster, IPV booster, Influenza annually. This is a basic schedule. Your child may need additional vaccines based on age, health conditions, or travel plans. Our pediatric team reviews your child's vaccination record and recommends any vaccines they need.

Why Vaccinations Matter

Vaccines train your child's immune system to fight serious diseases without getting sick from them. Before vaccines, diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough killed thousands of children yearly. Now these diseases are rare in vaccinated populations. Vaccines prevent not just the disease but also serious complications. For example, measles can cause brain inflammation. Mumps can cause hearing loss. Vaccines protect your child and the community by preventing disease spread.

Vaccine Safety

Vaccines go through extensive testing and are continuously monitored for safety. Common side effects are mild like soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, or slight fussiness. Serious side effects are extremely rare. Your provider can discuss any concerns before vaccinating.

Wellness Visits and Preventive Care

Regular wellness visits are important even when your child is healthy. These visits allow your pediatric services provider to monitor growth, development, and overall health. We check hearing, vision, and development milestones. We discuss feeding, sleep, behavior, and safety.

Annual Physicals

Schedule at least one wellness visit yearly. During this visit we measure height and weight, check blood pressure and heart rate, listen to the heart and lungs, examine the ears and throat, check reflexes and strength, and assess overall development. We update vaccinations and discuss any health concerns. Learn more about the importance of an annual physical.

Developmental Screening

We monitor your child's development at each visit. Are they reaching milestones on schedule? Do they babble, smile, sit up, walk, and speak appropriately for their age? We can refer to specialists if we have concerns about development, speech, or behavior.

Nutrition and Weight Management

Childhood obesity is increasing. We discuss healthy eating, portion sizes, and physical activity. We monitor growth to ensure your child is gaining weight and growing in height appropriately. If we notice weight concerns, we provide guidance to help your child reach a healthy weight.

When to Come to Mederi Urgent Care

You can bring your child to Mederi Urgent Care without an appointment during business hours. We have locations in Hollywood, Glendale, and West LA. Our pediatric team can evaluate most common illnesses and injuries quickly.

Bring Your Child In For

Fever lasting more than 3 days. Severe sore throat, especially with high fever. Ear pain or drainage from ears. Persistent cough or cough with fever. Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than a few hours. Wounds that need stitches. Falls with concern for serious injury. Rash with fever. Difficulty breathing. Suspected urinary tract infection. Questions about development or behavior.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Some situations require emergency room care. Do not wait or come to urgent care if your child has any of these conditions. Go to the hospital immediately or call 911.

Emergency Symptoms

Difficulty breathing or wheezing. Severe difficulty swallowing or drooling. Chest pain or pressure. Loss of consciousness or responsiveness. Severe head injury or suspected spinal injury. Uncontrolled bleeding. Suspected poisoning. Severe allergic reaction with swelling of face or throat. Severe abdominal pain. Seizures or convulsions. High fever with stiff neck or unusual rash that does not blanch. Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

Call 911 if Your Child Has

Stopped breathing. Is unconscious. Severe injury from accident or trauma. Uncontrolled bleeding. Severe allergic reaction. Suspected poisoning.

Getting Started with Pediatric Care at Mederi Urgent Care

Your child's health is important to us. Our pediatric services team has experience caring for children of all ages. At your first visit, we review your child's medical history, current medications, any allergies, and any health concerns. We also discuss vaccinations, nutrition, development, and any questions you have as a parent.

What to Bring to Your Visit

Your child's photo ID or birth certificate. Insurance card if you have one. List of current medications. Previous medical records if available. Vaccination records.

Our Approach to Pediatric Care

We treat children with patience and care. Our providers understand that children are not just small adults. We adjust our communication to each child's age. We explain what we are doing in words they understand. We keep parents involved in all decisions about their child's care. We also connect families with primary care services for long-term health management and referrals to specialists when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Services

How high does a fever need to be before I should seek care?

Fever itself is not always bad. It is your child's immune system fighting infection. A child with a fever of 101 degrees who is playing and acting normal may not need urgent care. But a child with any fever and difficulty breathing or extreme drowsiness needs immediate evaluation. Seek care if fever lasts more than 3 days, keeps returning, or your child seems very ill.

When should my child get their vaccines?

Follow the recommended vaccination schedule. Start at birth with hepatitis B, then continue through age 18. Staying on schedule protects your child when they are most vulnerable. Our pediatric team tracks your child's vaccination status and reminds you when vaccines are due.

Is it safe to give my child over-the-counter cold medicine?

Cold medicines are not recommended for children under 4 years old. Even for older children, these medications do not cure colds and may cause side effects. Fever reducers are safe for pain and fever. The best cold treatments are rest, fluids, and time.

My child is not meeting milestones. Should I be worried?

Every child develops at their own pace. Some children walk at 9 months, others at 15 months. Both are normal. However, if your child is significantly behind peers in multiple areas, evaluation by a specialist may help. Bring concerns to your pediatric provider. They can assess development and refer to specialists if needed.

How often should my child see a doctor for wellness visits?

Infants should be seen at birth, 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Toddlers should be seen at 15 months, 18 months, and 2 years. Older children should have annual wellness visits. Schedule more frequent visits if your child has chronic health conditions.

Can I come to Mederi Urgent Care if my child is here for routine care?

Yes. We offer both urgent care for acute illnesses and injuries, and preventive care including wellness visits and vaccinations. You can call or visit our offices in Hollywood or Glendale to schedule wellness visits, or walk in for urgent concerns.

How do I know if my child has an ear infection?

Signs include tugging at the ear, fever, drainage, complaints of ear pain, or in infants, increased fussiness and trouble sleeping. Babies cannot tell you their ear hurts. Trust your instincts if something seems wrong. A quick provider evaluation can confirm or rule out ear infection. Read more about ear infection treatment.

Your Child's Health is Our Priority

From newborns to teenagers, pediatric services at Mederi Urgent Care keep your child healthy and growing. Whether your child is sick with a common illness, injured from a fall, needs vaccines, or is ready for a wellness visit, we provide expert care in a child-friendly environment. Our providers have the training and experience to help your child feel better fast.

Do not hesitate to bring your child in with questions or concerns. That is what we are here for. Call Mederi Urgent Care to schedule a visit or simply walk in. We look forward to caring for your child and supporting your family.

May 30, 2026