Urgent Care

Strep Throat in Children

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can cause a painful sore throat, fever and difficulty swallowing in children. Because strep symptoms can look similar to viral sore throats and other common childhood illnesses, testing can help determine what's making your child sick. Care for Kids provides pediatric evaluation, rapid and molecular strep testing, and treatment when appropriate.

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Strep Throat Symptoms in Kids

Strep throat can develop quickly and may cause symptoms including:

• Sore or painful throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Red or swollen tonsils
• White patches or streaks on the tonsils
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased appetite

Some children with strep can also develop a red rash known as scarlet fever. Symptoms such as coughing, runny nose and congestion are more commonly associated with viral respiratory infections than strep throat. However, symptoms alone aren't always enough to determine what's causing your child's sore throat.

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How Can Strep Throat Be Prevented?

Strep throat is contagious, but good hygiene can help reduce its spread. Encourage your family to:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Avoid sharing cups, utensils, food and drinks
• Wash dishes and utensils after someone who is sick uses them
• Avoid close contact with someone who has strep when possible
• Take prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed

If your child is diagnosed with strep, your provider can also advise you on when it's appropriate for them to return to school or daycare.

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Strep Testing for Children

If your child's symptoms suggest strep throat, testing can determine whether Group A Streptococcus bacteria are present. Care for Kids offers rapid and molecular strep testing for children when clinically appropriate. Your pediatric provider will evaluate your child's symptoms and determine the appropriate testing and next steps. Testing is particularly helpful because a sore throat can have many different causes, and antibiotics are only appropriate for bacterial infections such as strep.

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How Is Strep Throat Treated?

Because strep throat is caused by bacteria, a confirmed strep infection is typically treated with a prescription antibiotic. Antibiotic treatment can help your child feel better faster, reduce the spread of strep to others and lower the risk of certain complications. It's important for your child to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed and complete the recommended treatment, even if they begin feeling better. Other ways to help your child feel more comfortable while recovering may include:

• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Getting plenty of rest
• Eating soft or soothing foods
• Using age-appropriate medications for fever or throat discomfort when appropriate

Antibiotics should not be used for a sore throat caused by a virus. Testing helps your provider determine whether Group A Strep is responsible for your child's symptoms and whether antibiotics are appropriate.

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How Is Strep Throat Treated?

When a child tests positive for strep throat, treatment typically includes an antibiotic prescribed by a healthcare provider. Completing the full course of medication as directed is important, even if your child starts feeling better. Your provider may also recommend ways to keep your child comfortable while recovering, such as staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest and using age-appropriate over-the-counter medications when appropriate.

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When Should My Child See a Doctor for a Sore Throat?

Consider having your child evaluated if they have:

• A significant or persistent sore throat
• Pain or difficulty when swallowing
• Fever along with a sore throat
• Swollen or painful lymph nodes
• White patches on the tonsils
• A rash along with a sore throat
• Known exposure to someone with strep throat
• Symptoms that are worsening instead of improving

🚨 Seek emergency medical attention if your child has severe difficulty breathing, cannot swallow liquids or saliva, shows signs of severe dehydration or has other life-threatening symptoms.

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Urgent Care or Primary Care for Strep?

Urgent Care is a convenient choice when your child suddenly develops a sore throat, fever or other symptoms of strep. Care for Kids can evaluate your child, perform strep testing when appropriate and provide treatment if they test positive. Primary Care can help with follow-up concerns, recurring sore throats and your child's ongoing healthcare needs. Having urgent and primary care available through Care for Kids also helps keep your child's care and medical history connected.

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Pediatric Strep Throat Care Near You

A sore throat can make for a miserable day, but getting answers doesn't have to be difficult. Care for Kids can evaluate your child's symptoms, test for strep when appropriate and recommend the right treatment to help them feel better. 👉 Find your nearest Care for Kids clinic and book pediatric urgent or primary care at urgentcarekids.com/locations.

COVID-19 in Children

COVID-19 can cause respiratory and other symptoms in children ranging from mild to more significant illness. Because many COVID symptoms overlap with the flu, RSV, strep and common colds, it isn't always possible to determine the cause based on symptoms alone. Care for Kids provides pediatric evaluation and COVID-19 testing when appropriate.

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COVID-19 Symptoms in Kids

Symptoms may include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose or congestion
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Symptoms can vary considerably between children.

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How Can I Help Prevent COVID-19?

Families can take several steps to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:

• Keep recommended vaccinations up to date
• Encourage frequent handwashing
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Improve indoor air circulation when possible
• Avoid close contact with others when sick
• Avoid sharing cups and utensils
• Stay home when sick and follow current guidance for returning to normal activities

If your child has a weakened immune system or another condition that increases their risk of severe illness, talk with their primary care provider about additional precautions that may be appropriate.

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Pediatric COVID-19 Testing

Testing can help distinguish COVID-19 from other illnesses with similar symptoms. Care for Kids offers rapid and molecular COVID-19 testing options when appropriate. Your child's provider can recommend testing based on symptoms, exposure and other factors.

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How Is COVID-19 Treated in Children?

Treatment depends on your child's symptoms, age, medical history and risk of developing more serious illness. Many children with mild COVID-19 recover with supportive care at home. Treatment may include:

• Rest and plenty of fluids
• Age-appropriate medications for fever, aches or discomfort
• Monitoring symptoms and breathing
• Additional treatment based on your child's symptoms and medical history

Certain children who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 may be eligible for prescription antiviral treatment. These medications need to be started soon after symptoms begin, so early evaluation can be especially important for children with certain underlying health conditions. A Care for Kids provider can evaluate your child's symptoms, perform COVID-19 testing when appropriate and recommend the appropriate next steps.

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When Should My Child Be Seen?

Consider an evaluation if your child develops COVID-like symptoms, symptoms are worsening or persistent, you have concerns following a known exposure or you aren't sure what's making your child sick. 🚨 Severe trouble breathing, blue or gray lips or skin, loss of consciousness or other life-threatening symptoms require emergency medical care.

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Urgent Care vs. Primary Care

Urgent Care is appropriate for many new or worsening COVID-like symptoms and testing needs. Primary Care can help with ongoing symptoms, follow-up concerns and your child's overall health after an illness.can help with ongoing symptoms, follow-up concerns and your child's overall health after an illness.

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Pediatric COVID Care Near You

If your child isn't feeling well, Care for Kids can help determine what's causing their symptoms and recommend next steps. 👉 Find your nearest clinic and book pediatric urgent or primary care at urgentcarekids.com/locations.

Upper Respiratory Infections in Children

Colds, coughs, stuffy noses and sinus congestion are some of the most common reasons parents bring their children to the doctor. Most of these symptoms are caused by an upper respiratory infection (URI), which affects the nose, throat and upper airways. Care for Kids provides pediatric urgent and primary care for children experiencing coughs, colds, congestion and other respiratory symptoms.

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Cold and Upper Respiratory Infection Symptoms in Kids

Symptoms can vary by age and illness but commonly include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Sinus or nasal congestion
• Headache
• Mild fever
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite

Young children may also become fussier than usual or have difficulty sleeping because of congestion.

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Can Upper Respiratory Infections Be Prevented?

It's difficult to completely prevent colds and other respiratory infections, especially when children attend school or daycare. You can help reduce their risk and limit the spread of illness by encouraging:

• Frequent handwashing
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces
• Avoiding sharing cups and utensils
• Staying home when sick
• Keeping recommended vaccinations up to date

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Is It a Cold or a Sinus Infection?

Most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses and improve with time. Sometimes symptoms that persist or worsen may indicate another condition, such as a sinus infection. A pediatric provider can evaluate your child's symptoms, how long they have been sick and whether additional testing or treatment may be appropriate.

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How Are Upper Respiratory Infections Treated?

Most upper respiratory infections, including the common cold, are caused by viruses and improve on their own. Treatment typically focuses on helping your child feel more comfortable while their body fights the infection. Depending on your child's age and symptoms, a provider may recommend:

• Plenty of fluids and rest
• Saline nasal spray or drops to help with congestion
• A cool-mist humidifier
• Age-appropriate medications for fever or discomfort
• Honey to help soothe a cough for children over 1 year old
• Testing for illnesses such as flu, COVID-19, RSV or strep when appropriate

Antibiotics do not treat viral infections like the common cold. However, if your child's evaluation identifies a bacterial infection, your provider can recommend appropriate treatment.

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When Should My Child See a Doctor for a Cough or Cold?

Consider having your child evaluated when symptoms are getting worse instead of better, a fever persists, your child develops ear pain, coughing interferes with sleep or normal activity, or you simply aren't sure what's causing the symptoms. 🚨 Seek emergency medical attention for severe difficulty breathing, blue or gray lips or skin, or other life-threatening symptoms.

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Urgent Care or Primary Care?

Pediatric Urgent Care is a convenient choice for a new cough, cold, fever, congestion or other illness that needs timely evaluation. Pediatric Primary Care may be more appropriate for recurring respiratory problems, ongoing coughs or symptoms that need continued follow-up. At Care for Kids, families can access both urgent and primary care, helping keep your child's care connected.

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Find Pediatric Care Near You

Whether your child wakes up congested, develops a stubborn cough or isn't getting better, Care for Kids is here to help. 👉 Find your nearest Care for Kids clinic and book pediatric urgent or primary care at urgentcarekids.com/locations.

Flu in Children

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that can make children feel sick quickly. Fever, chills, cough, body aches and fatigue are common, but symptoms can vary from child to child. Care for Kids evaluates children with flu symptoms and offers pediatric flu testing and treatment when appropriate.

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Common Flu Symptoms in Kids

Influenza symptoms can include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite

Some children may also experience vomiting or diarrhea.

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How Can I Help Prevent the Flu?

One of the best ways to protect your child from seasonal influenza and its complications is an annual flu vaccine. Flu vaccination is recommended for most children 6 months and older. Always consult your provider to discuss your child's vaccine schedule and any questions you may have. Families can also help reduce the spread of influenza by:

• Washing hands frequently
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Avoiding sharing drinks and utensils
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces
• Keeping children home when they're sick

If one person in your household develops the flu, taking precautions around other family members can help reduce its spread.

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Flu Testing for Children

Because flu symptoms can resemble COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory illnesses, testing can sometimes help determine what's making your child sick. Care for Kids offers rapid and molecular testing options for influenza when clinically appropriate. Your provider can determine which test is appropriate based on your child's symptoms and circumstances.

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How Is the Flu Treated in Children?

Treatment for influenza depends on your child's age, symptoms, overall health and how long they have been sick. Many children with mild flu recover with supportive care, including:

• Plenty of rest and fluids
• Age-appropriate medications for fever, aches and discomfort
• Monitoring symptoms as your child recovers

Prescription antiviral medications may also be recommended for some children. Antivirals can make flu symptoms milder and may shorten the length of illness. They work best when started early, ideally within the first two days after symptoms begin. Your Care for Kids provider can evaluate your child, perform flu testing when appropriate and determine whether an antiviral or other treatment is recommended. Antibiotics do not treat influenza because the flu is caused by a virus.

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When Should My Child See a Doctor for the Flu?

Consider having your child evaluated if you suspect influenza, particularly when symptoms are significant, your child has an underlying medical condition, symptoms are worsening or you have concerns about how your child is recovering. 🚨 Seek emergency care for severe difficulty breathing, blue or gray lips or skin, severe dehydration, seizures, loss of consciousness or other life-threatening symptoms.

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Urgent Care or Primary Care for Flu?

Urgent Care: New fever, body aches, cough or other flu-like symptoms that need timely evaluation and possible testing. Primary Care: Preventive care, flu vaccination when appropriate and available, and ongoing follow-up for children with health conditions that may affect their flu risk.

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Flu Care for Kids Near You

When flu symptoms hit, getting answers shouldn't be difficult. Care for Kids offers convenient pediatric care for flu symptoms, testing and treatment. 👉 Find your nearest clinic and book pediatric urgent or primary care at urgentcarekids.com/locations.