Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic in Alexandria, VA
Pediatric urgent care doctors understand the intricacies of treating children, considering factors such as growing bones and specific areas prone to injury based on their stage of development. We are home to a leading team of medical professionals, and we care about your child’s health. Pediatric urgent care is available at PACS Urgent Care. For more information, please contact us or use our online check-in. We have convenient locations in Ruther Glen and Alexandria, VA.




Table of Contents:
Why choose pediatric urgent care for your child?
Should you bring your child to an urgent care clinic or to the ER?
What is the primary reason that parents bring their child to a doctor?
Under what circumstances should I bring my child to a doctor if they have a fever?
Choosing pediatric urgent care for your child offers several advantages. Pediatric urgent care centers are specifically designed to cater to children’s needs, ensuring appropriate care and specialized attention. Unlike general urgent care centers, pediatric urgent care centers exclusively employ pediatric specialists who possess extensive training and experience in caring for children.
These specialists undergo years of dedicated pediatric training, as opposed to the limited pediatric training provided to general urgent care providers, who are primarily trained in family or emergency medicine.
One key benefit of pediatric urgent care is the focus on age-appropriate care. Children have unique medical requirements that differ from adults, and pediatric specialists possess in-depth knowledge of pediatric injuries, illnesses, and developmental stages.
They understand the intricacies of treating children, considering factors such as growing bones and specific areas prone to injury based on their stage of development. Pediatric urgent care centers also prioritize acute care needs, such as treating illnesses and injuries.
Opting for pediatric urgent care ensures that your child receives specialized care from healthcare professionals who are well-versed in the complexities of pediatric medicine. This tailored approach enhances the quality of care provided, resulting in better outcomes for your child’s health and well-being.
When determining whether to go to urgent care or the emergency room (ER) for your child, several factors come into play. If you find yourself in a situation where immediate medical attention is necessary, but it’s outside of regular pediatrician office hours, consider reaching out to your child’s doctor or speaking with an after-hours nurse for guidance.
Pediatric urgent care centers can be a viable option for timely care, particularly during evenings and weekends, tailored to meet your child’s specific needs.
In cases where waiting until the pediatrician’s office reopens is not feasible pediatric urgent care centers can address mild allergic reactions, minor asthma attacks, uncomplicated fractures (with intact skin and normal shape), respiratory symptoms like coughs and colds, cuts or burns (minor), earaches, headaches, pink eye, removal of foreign objects, skin abscesses, sports injuries, urinary tract infections, and vomiting.
However, it’s important to note that certain situations may require immediate attention at an ER. In true emergencies, such as severe injuries or life-threatening conditions, the ER is the most appropriate choice. Promptly assessing the severity of your child’s condition and considering the urgency of care required will help you make an informed decision between urgent care and the ER, ensuring your child receives the appropriate level of medical attention.
The main reason kids visit a doctor is often due to acute conditions, which are sudden and short-term illnesses or injuries. Common acute conditions that prompt visits to the doctor include respiratory infections such as colds and coughs, along with earaches.
These conditions can cause discomfort and interfere with a child’s daily activities. Seeking medical attention allows for proper diagnosis and treatment, ensuring prompt relief and preventing any potential complications. Additionally, other acute reasons for doctor visits in children may include fevers, sore throats, and stomachaches. Timely medical care for acute conditions helps children recover quickly and resume their normal routines.
If your child has a fever, there are certain situations that warrant immediate medical attention. Contact your child’s doctor right away if the fever lasts for more than four to five days or if your newborn (under 2 months old) has a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
In cases where you are unable to reach your doctor, it is advisable to go to the emergency department. Seek medical attention if your child has a fever of 105 or higher, regardless of their age, including teenagers. Additionally, if an infant (under a year old) has a fever over 102 for more than two days without an apparent cause, contact your doctor.
Certain accompanying signs such as a widespread red or purple rash, stiff neck with a severe headache, severe pain (including abdominal pain), shortness of breath, extreme weakness, altered mental state, or signs of dehydration (dry diapers, decreased urination, and dark urine) require immediate medical attention.
Pediatric urgent care is available at PACS Urgent Care. For more information please contact us or use our online check-in. We have convenient locations in Ruther Glen and Alexandria, VA. We serve patients from Alexandria VA, Huntington VA, Arlington VA, Ruther Glen VA, Bagdad VA, Athens VA, Doswell VA, and surrounding areas.