It’s the middle of the night. Your toddler is tossing and turning with a fever, tugging at their ear, and crying. You’re unsure if it’s serious — but you also don’t want to wait until morning. As a parent, making the right decision in moments like this can feel stressful and confusing.
Here’s your go-to guide for deciding when to call your pediatrician or primary care doctor, schedule a virtual visit, stop by urgent care, or head straight to the emergency room.
👨⚕️ Primary Care: In-Person or Virtual
Your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider is your go-to for ongoing, relationship-based care. They know your child’s medical history, vaccine schedule, and developmental milestones — which makes them the best choice for early intervention and consistent care.
Now, you have two ways to access this trusted care:
- In-person visits at your pediatrician’s office
- Pediatric virtual primary care from home, offering the same expert guidance and continuity of care with added flexibility
Best for:
- Mild fevers, persistent coughs, or sore throats that aren’t emergencies
- Yearly physicals, school/sports checkups, and vaccinations
- Managing chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or ADHD
- Follow-up care after an urgent care or ER visit
- Behavioral health check-ins, developmental questions, or parenting concerns
Pediatric virtual primary care is especially helpful for busy families, offering visits 7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., so you can see a pediatrician without leaving home — perfect for minor symptoms, check-ins, or parenting guidance.
📲 Schedule an in-person or virtual visit via MyAtriumHealth.org or the MyAtriumHealth app.
🏥 Urgent Care: Quick, Non-Emergency Help
Sometimes, your child needs fast medical attention — but it’s not life-threatening. Urgent care is the bridge between your pediatrician and the ER.
Best for:
- Fever without a rash
- Sprains, strains, or minor fractures
- Ear pain, sore throats, or persistent coughs
- Mild asthma symptoms
- Minor cuts, scrapes, or burns
- Vomiting or diarrhea that’s ongoing but not severe
⏱️ Good to know: Most urgent care clinics throughout the area offer evening and weekend hours, and no appointment is needed — but reserving a spot online can help reduce wait times.
👧 Atrium Health has many urgent care locations around the area, including two designed just for kids, so your child gets expert pediatric care in a kid-friendly environment.
🏠 Prefer to stay home? Atrium Health Levine Children’s also offers virtual urgent care visits 24/7.
🚨 Emergency Room: When Seconds Count
If your child shows signs of a serious or life-threatening condition, go straight to the ER. Don’t wait.
Call 911 or head to the ER for:
- Difficulty breathing or severe asthma attacks
- High fever in babies under 2 months
- Fever with stiff neck, rash, or extreme irritability
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Serious injuries or broken bones with visible deformity
- Large cuts or bleeding that won’t stop
- Severe allergic reactions
- Signs of dehydration (no tears when crying, dry mouth, no urine in 8+ hours)
- Vomiting or coughing up blood
- Chest pain or slurred speech
🚑 Always call 911 if your child is unconscious, not breathing, turning blue, or if you believe they need an ambulance to get to the hospital quickly.
🌟 Atrium Health has emergency departments thoughout the area, including three just for kids, including a newly opened location in Union County, where Atrium Health Levine Children’s provides expert care 24/7.
🛠️ Tips for Parents: Be Prepared
- Save key numbers: pediatrician, local urgent care, and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
- Keep a basic home medical kit with a thermometer, children’s pain relievers, bandages, and allergy/medication information
- Understand your insurance coverage — many plans include virtual care benefits with low or no copay
- Use the MyAtriumHealth app to access medical records, book appointments, view test results, and message your provider
🌟 Bottom Line: Right Care, Right When You Need It
Navigating your family’s health needs can feel overwhelming — but you’re not alone. From a late-night fever to a scraped knee, or even a parenting question that can’t wait, knowing where to go for the right care makes all the difference.
🔍 Ready to find a provider, schedule a visit, start a virtual visit, or find your nearest urgent care and ER locations? Explore your care options now at LevineChildrens.org/FindCare or via the MyAtriumHealth app.
