When to Call a Doctor
How to Tell If Your Child’s Illness Needs Urgent Care
When kids get sick, parents face a tough decision. Should you wait and watch, contact the pediatrician, or head straight to the ER?
At Little Big Care, we help families make safer, clearer choices. Many childhood illnesses can be treated outside the ER, and our pediatric-trained providers can come directly to your home, hotel, or office.
This guide will help you decide when to seek urgent pediatric care and when emergency care may be best.
When to Call for Urgent Care
You do not need to go to the ER for every fever or cough. Consider contacting Little Big Care or your child’s pediatrician if your child has:
A high or persistent fever over 102 °F that lasts more than 48 hours, or any fever in an infant under 3 months
Persistent ear pain or ear-pulling that may signal an ear infection
A sore throat with white patches or trouble swallowing that could indicate strep throat
Wheezing or fast, labored breathing that may need assessment for asthma, RSV, or another respiratory issue
Vomiting or diarrhea with signs of dehydration, such as dry lips, fewer wet diapers, or unusual sleepiness
A rash that spreads, blisters, or comes with a fever
A minor injury or sprain that needs evaluation but does not look severe enough for the ER
If you are unsure, call us. Our pediatric team can help determine whether an urgent visit or emergency evaluation is safest.
What You Can Manage at Home
Home care is usually reasonable when your child:
Is alert, playful, and interactive
Is drinking fluids and urinating normally
Has mild cold-type symptoms that are improving
If symptoms worsen or you are worried, call us or your pediatrician for guidance.
How Little Big Care Helps
We offer Colorado Springs families:
Same-day mobile visits at home, in hotels, or in our office, along with telehealth options
Pediatric-trained providers who specialize in children of all ages
Flat, transparent visit fees that include the most common tests, such as rapid strep, flu, COVID, and urinalysis
Support in deciding whether urgent or emergency care is appropriate
We are not the ER, but we are here to help you make safe and informed decisions.
Why Pediatric-Trained Providers Matter
Children are not just small adults. Their bodies, symptoms, and treatments are different and deserve care designed for them.
At Little Big Care, every visit is handled by a pediatric-trained provider specializing in caring for kids from infancy through adulthood. Pediatric clinicians know how to:
Recognize the warning signs that can appear subtle in children
Calculate precise medication doses by age and weight
Communicate in ways that help calm anxious children
Offer developmentally appropriate guidance for families
Emergency rooms and most general urgent cares are excellent for adult and trauma cases, but are not always designed or staffed for pediatric-specific needs.
Little Big Care bridges that gap by combining pediatric expertise with the convenience of urgent care that comes to you.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Important Disclaimer
ER is more appropriate for: severe injury, obvious broken bone or large wound, difficulty breathing (respiratory distress), severe abdominal pain, immediate need for imaging or bloodwork, fever in a newborn, suicidal or acute psychiatric crisis.
If you have an emergency, call 911.
If your child is unresponsive, having a seizure, turning blue, or experiencing any life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. When in doubt, choose emergency care.
Simple Steps to Take Now
For emergencies, call 911 right away.
For urgent but non-emergency needs, book a same-day visit with Little Big Care at (719) 435-9979.
For mild illness, monitor closely, encourage fluids and rest, and contact us if symptoms worsen.
Peace of Mind, Without the Wait
Every parent wonders, “Is this serious?” With Little Big Care, you do not have to guess. We will help you make the right decision and provide expert, child-focused care without crowded waiting rooms or surprise bills.
Book a Visit Today or call (719) 435-9979 to speak with our care team.