Nowadays, it seems that coughs, sore throats, and other pesky illnesses are spreading all year long — especially with kids. At Urgent Care for Kids, these types of respiratory illnesses are one of our most common visit reasons, so let’s break down what to watch for and how to prevent illness.
Strep Throat
This bacterial infection is a frequent visitor and spreads through coughs, sneezes, and even shared surfaces. It can make kids feel miserable and it spreads quickly if not treated.
Watch for these signs:
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Red or swollen tonsils
- Fever
- Pain when swallowing
- Headache or body aches
If your child has any of these symptoms, find a nearby clinic here and schedule a visit to get tested (results in 15 minutes) and receive a treatment plan (if positive result) to help them feel better faster and to avoid spreading it to others.
The Flu (Influenza)
Even if your child usually bounces back from sickness quickly, the flu can be serious for others around them — like classmates with asthma, babies at home, or grandparents. That’s why early testing is so important when flu symptoms pop up.
Common flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Achy muscles
Children can spread the flu for up to 10 days after symptoms begin, so keeping them home and calling your provider is the best way to protect others.
If you suspect your child may have the flu, click here to find one of our clinics near you to get tested (results in 15 minutes) and speak to our provider about a treatment plan if results are positive.
COVID-19
Yes, COVID is still with us and can look a lot like a cold or the flu. The tricky part? Symptoms vary a lot from person to person.
Some symptoms to look out for:- Fever and chills
- Cough or sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose or congestion
- Headaches, body aches
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Loss of taste or smell
With COVID, it’s especially important to test early to reduce the spread and help your child get back to feeling happy and healthy. Click here to locate a nearby Urgent Care for Kids clinic and schedule a visit for rapid 15 minute COVID testing and learn proper next steps from our providers.
We all want our kids to enjoy a fun, active year—without being sidelined by illness. By staying alert to symptoms and getting tested when needed, we can work together to keep your kiddo feeling their best.
Our clinics always accept walk-ins and are open late nights, weekends, and holidays. Click here to find a clinic near you and book online today.
Resources:
- Ellen R Wald. MD. “Group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in children and adolescents: Clinical features and diagnosis.” UpToDate, 2022.
- CDC. “Influenza (Flu).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), 2022.
- Flor M Munoz, MD, MScMorven S Edwards, MD. “Seasonal influenza in children: Clinical features and diagnosis.” UpToDate, 2023.
- “Trends in United States COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Deaths, Emergency Department (ED) Visits, and Test Positivity by Geographic Area.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023.
- Jaime G Deville, MD, Eunkyung Song, MD, Christopher P Ouellette, MD. “COVID-19: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis in children.” UpToDate, 2023.
