Please call 911 if you or someone else has a medical emergency that needs transportation for immediate care.
It’s 2 a.m. and your toddler is fatigued, complaining of an earache and has a fever. You’re not sure it’s an emergency, but the thought of waiting it out until the morning sounds miserable for everyone. What do you do?
If you’ve ever wondered where to go when you’re feeling sick or injured, you’re not alone. Over 155 million people head to the emergency room each year, but a large percentage of those visits are not actual emergencies.
While we are fortunate to have several accessible options for care available, how do you know where to go and when?
When to visit your primary care provider or pediatrician
If you are established with a family doctor or pediatrician, think of primary care as your friend and advocate. He or she knows your family’s medical history and can offer health insight that other types of care may take longer to provide. If your little one suffers from chronic ear infections that don’t (have not responded) respond to past medications, for example, your Atrium Health Levine Children’s pediatrician may be able to provide more effective solutions quickly.
You should visit your primary care doctor or pediatrician for:
- Basic, yearly check-ups, vaccinations and health screenings
- If you are feeling under the weather and don’t feel your life is in immediate danger
- If you have chronic illnesses, like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
- For children, any high fever, especially if it’s not responding to medicine
You’ll need to schedule an appointment – but if your concern is not urgent, this is the best choice for you.
To make an appointment, go to MyAtriumHealth.org, our MyAtriumHealth app or call. Some conditions don’t warrant an in-person consultation, and in that case, you can schedule a video visit with your primary care provider or pediatrician.
If you are looking for a primary care doctor or pediatrician, find one here.
When to use virtual primary care
Great care is often just a video call away. Virtual primary care has become a trusted, convenient option for families.
For adults, virtual primary care is ideal for non-life-threatening symptoms such as:
- Mild cold symptoms such as a cough, slight fever, runny nose or sore throat
- Mild vomiting or diarrhea
- Skin issues such as mild rashes (unless accompanied by fever) or itchiness
- Seasonal allergies
- Pink eye
- Urinary tract infection
For children, Atrium Health Levine Children’s offers pediatric virtual primary care — a convenient and flexible way for busy families to get quality care from a dedicated pediatrician through scheduled video visits.
Available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., families can choose a virtual pediatrician for their child’s ongoing care, including:
- Developmental check-ins
- Sick visits for colds, rashes, sprains and other nonurgent symptoms
- Parenting support, newborn care, nutrition and sleep hygiene
- Behavioral and mental health visits
- Chronic disease management
- Hybrid well visits for ages 4 and up (with a coordinated in-person component)
For your virtual visit, you will need internet access and a smartphone, tablet or computer to chat with a physician or medical professional from the comfort of your home — or wherever you may be.
Whether you are new to Atrium Health or an existing patient, our virtual care options are easy to access. Start a visit or find a primary care doctor by checking out our “Get Care Now” options.
When to choose urgent care
Did you know your local urgent care location can help with simple stitches, minor burns and even minor bone breaks? Similar to primary care, you’ll want to visit an urgent care facility if you’re experiencing an illness or injury that doesn’t put your life in danger, but the care you need is more immediate.
You should visit urgent care if you have:
- Moderate flu-like symptoms
- Minor wounds, abrasions, burns or cuts that may require stitches
- Sprains or strains
- Ongoing vomiting or diarrhea
- Fever without a rash
- Ear pain
- Eye redness, itchiness or discharge
- Abdominal pain
Another bonus of urgent care is it does not require an appointment. You can walk in for care when it fits your schedule thanks to convenient extended hours every day of the week. For the best experience, reserve your spot online beforehand to reduce your waiting time.
Atrium Health has urgent care locations across the region, including two just for kids, making it easy to get the care you need, when you need it.
Need care from home? Atrium Health also offers 24/7 virtual urgent care visits for adults and children, so you can connect with a provider from the comfort of your couch.
Keep in mind the above conditions may warrant a trip to the emergency room depending on your child’s age (especially infants) and medical history.
When to go to the emergency department
For serious illness or injury that may put your life in danger, seek help at the nearest emergency department. Atrium Health offers expert emergency care across the region — including three emergency departments dedicated just for kids, one of which is our newest location in Union County.
Our emergency teams are available 24/7 and equipped to treat a wide range of critical conditions.
You should visit an emergency department if you experience:
- Serious cuts, burns or wounds
- Severe cold or flu symptoms
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness or numbness throughout the body
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy
- Seizures
Infants and young children may require emergency care for the below additional conditions, including symptoms of RSV, pneumonia, flu and COVID-19 or accidents, like near drowning, injury after being dropped or involvement in a car accident.
- Fever with neck stiffness
- Fever with a rash
- Fever associated with mood changes or irritability
- Fever (100.4 degrees or higher) in a baby under two months old
- Low fever (below 96.8 degrees) that won’t go up
- Burn injuries
- Deep bleeding cuts or crush injuries with bone deformity
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Bloody urine, stool or vomit
- Looking pale or blue
- Difficulty breathing
Important note: Call 911 for medical emergencies in which you need transportation for immediate care. Authorities will dispatch an ambulance to pick you up and take you to the nearest hospital.
No matter the hour or the symptom, we’re here to help you get the right care, right when you need it. Explore your options and get care now.
