The Penguin Post

Where Should I Go When My Child Is Sick?

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:28:33 GMT

Pediatrician vs Urgent Care vs Emergency Room

When your child gets sick, it can be stressful trying to decide where to go. Should you call your pediatrician, head to urgent care, or go straight to the emergency room?

The good news: most childhood illnesses can safely be treated at your pediatrician’s office—and we’re usually the best place to start.

�� Start with Your Pediatrician (Most of the Time)

Your pediatrician knows your child’s history, medications, and past illnesses—and we’re equipped to handle most common childhood problems . Some examples include:

Fever (in children older than 1 month)
Ear pain or tugging
Cough, cold, congestion
Vomiting or diarrhea
Rashes or hives (with no trouble breathing)
Sore throat
Mild asthma attack or symptoms
Minor injuries (cuts, sprains, bruises)
Pink eye
Pain with urination
Sports injuries
Allergic reactions (without trouble breathing)
Behavior concerns
Constipation
Fainting
Bug bites
Minor burns
Seizure that stops on its own
Stomach pain
Swallowed objects with no trouble breathing (and not a battery)

These are some of the most common reasons kids get sick—and we treat them every day.

�� Bonus: You’ll often have shorter wait times, lower costs, and more personalized care.

�� When Urgent Care Makes Sense

Urgent care is a good option when:

Your child needs care the same day and no appointments are available
If not urgent, remember you can schedule a clinic appointment with us online, day or night.
Minor injuries that may need X-rays or stitches

Examples include:

Minor fractures
Cuts that may need stitches

�� Keep in mind: urgent care providers don’t know your child’s history like we do.

�� When to Go to the Emergency Room (or Call 911)

Some symptoms need immediate emergency care . Examples include:

Trouble breathing or working hard to breathe
Blue lips or face
Severe dehydration (no urine, no tears, very sleepy)
Seizure that doesn’t stop
Serious injury or broken bone with deformity
Difficulty waking or not responding normally
Severe allergic reaction (swelling, breathing trouble)
Concerns for abuse or neglect
Dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, no wet diapers for 18 hours)
Head injury with persistent vomiting or behavior change
Severe headache with neck pain
Ingestions (call Poison Control first at 1-800-222-1222)
Suicide attempt or threat to others
Swallowed battery or any object causing trouble breathing
Slurred speech or trouble speaking
Numbness, paralysis, sudden weakness or vision loss

�� Important:

Any fever in a baby under 1 month old should go to the ER immediately

�� When in Doubt, Call Us First

If you’re unsure where to go, call our office . We can help you decide the safest and fastest place for your child to be seen. Even at night our phones are answered by a nurse triage line, with one of our doctors on call as backup.

Our goal is simple: get your child the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

Measles is Making a Comeback: What Parents Should Know

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:58:03 GMT

Measles in Children: Symptoms, Risks, and How to Protect Your Family

Over the past few years, measles—once nearly eliminated in the United States—has begun to reappear in communities across the country. While many parents have never seen measles firsthand, recent outbreaks are a reminder that this highly contagious disease still poses a real risk, especially in areas where vaccination rates have declined.

The good news is that measles is preventable , and understanding the symptoms and how it spreads can help keep children and communities safe.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a viral infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes in a shared space. It is one of the most contagious diseases known in medicine .

In fact, if someone with measles enters a room, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours . About 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus will become infected.

Because of this high level of contagiousness, even a single case can lead to outbreaks if enough people in a community are not protected.

Early Symptoms of Measles

Measles often starts like a common viral illness, which can make it difficult to recognize at first.

Early symptoms usually appear 7–14 days after exposure and may include:

High fever (often over 104°F)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
Fatigue and irritability

A few days later, the classic measles rash appears. The rash typically:

Starts on the face or hairline
Spreads downward across the body
Appears as red spots that may blend together

Children are contagious before the rash even appears , which is one reason measles spreads so easily.

Why Measles Can Be Dangerous

While many children recover, measles is not just a rash illness . It can lead to serious complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

Possible complications include:

Ear infections (which can lead to hearing loss)
Pneumonia , the most common cause of measles-related deaths in children
Encephalitis , or swelling of the brain
Hospitalization
Rare but severe long-term neurologic complications

About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles will require hospitalization .

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable.

The Best Protection: The MMR Vaccine

The most effective way to prevent measles is through the MMR vaccine , which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

The vaccine is extremely effective:

One dose provides about 93% protection
Two doses provide about 97% protection

The recommended schedule is:

First dose: 12–15 months of age
Second dose: 4–6 years of age

During times of measles outbreaks, the second dose of the MMR vaccine may be offered earlier than usual. The second dose can be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose and will still count toward the routine two-dose series required for school entry.

For families traveling internationally or to areas experiencing measles outbreaks, we also recommend considering early vaccination for infants . Babies as young as 6 months old can receive an extra early dose of the MMR vaccine for protection during travel. This early dose does not replace the routine doses , so the child will still need the standard vaccinations at 12–15 months and 4–6 years .

If you are planning travel or have questions about the best timing for your child’s vaccines, our team is happy to help guide you.

Millions of doses have been safely given for decades, and the vaccine has played a critical role in protecting children worldwide.

Protecting Your Family and Community

Vaccination not only protects your own child—it also helps protect:

Infants who are too young to be vaccinated
Children with weakened immune systems
Pregnant women
Members of the community who cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons

This community protection, sometimes called herd immunity , helps stop outbreaks before they spread.

At Priority Care Pediatrics, we care for many children who are especially vulnerable to infections, including newborns, infants too young to be fully vaccinated, and kids with medical conditions that affect their immune systems. For this reason, we maintain a strong vaccine policy aligned with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics . Keeping our patients up to date on recommended vaccines helps reduce the risk of preventable illnesses entering our office and helps protect not only your child, but also the many medically fragile children who share our waiting room. Our goal is to create the safest possible environment for every family we care for.

When Should Parents Call the Doctor?

If your child develops:

A high fever
A new rash , especially with cough or red eyes
Possible exposure to someone with measles

Please contact us before coming into the office so our team can guide you on the safest next steps.

Early awareness helps prevent further spread.

The Bottom Line

Measles is highly contagious, but it is also highly preventable . Staying up to date with recommended vaccines remains the best way to protect children and prevent outbreaks.

If you have questions about measles or your child’s vaccine schedule, our team is always happy to help.

Together, we can continue to keep our children and community healthy.

From Our Pediatric Team

At Priority Care Pediatrics , our board-certified pediatricians care for thousands of children across the Kansas City Northland each year. We follow the vaccination recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics to help protect our patients from preventable diseases like measles.

If you have questions about the MMR vaccine , measles symptoms, or your child’s vaccine schedule, our team is always happy to help guide you.

Medically reviewed by:
J. Bryan Wohlwend, MD FAAP
Board-Certified Pediatrician
Priority Care Pediatrics

Have questions about measles or your child’s vaccines?
Schedule a visit with our pediatric team or call our office to speak with one of our nurses.

Exciting New Service!

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:45:33 GMT

Online Scheduling is Here!

Why Online Scheduling Is a Game-Changer for Families

At Priority Care Pediatrics , we’re always looking for ways to make care easier, faster, and less stressful for families. One of the simplest tools that has made the biggest difference? Online scheduling.

If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s why more and more parents are loving the ability to book appointments from their phone quickly.

⏰ 1. Schedule Anytime — No Waiting on the Phone

Kids don’t get sick between 9 and 5.

With online scheduling, you can:

Book an appointment late at night , early morning, or during a lunch break
Avoid hold times
See real-time availability and pick what works for your family

No phone tag. No waiting. No stress.

�� 2. See Your Options Instantly

Online scheduling lets you:

View same-day sick visit openings
Choose the location most convenient for you
Pick a time that fits around school, work, and activities

You’re in control of the schedule, not the other way around.

�� 3. Faster Care for Sick Kids

When your child wakes up with a fever, sore throat, or ear pain, the last thing you want is a delay.

Online booking helps you:

Grab the next available sick visit immediately
Get seen sooner
Start treatment and feel better faster

�� 4. Fewer Errors, Smoother Visits

When you schedule online, you can:

Select the reason for the visit
Ensure we know what’s going on before you arrive
Help our team prepare for exactly what your child needs

That means less time explaining at check-in and more time focused on care.

��‍��‍�� 5. Designed for Busy Families

We know your life is full:

School drop-offs
Work meetings
Sports practices
Multiple kids with different schedules

Online scheduling lets you coordinate care around your life, not rearrange your life for care.

�� 6. Perfect for Well Visits and Follow-Ups

It’s not just for sick visits.

You can also use online scheduling for:

Well child checks
Medication follow-ups
ADHD visits
Simple rechecks

No need to call — just book and you’re done.

�� The Bottom Line

Online scheduling is about convenience, speed, and control for families.

It saves time.
It reduces frustration.
It gets kids seen sooner.

And it’s available 24/7, whenever you need it.

Ready to try it?

Next time you need an appointment, skip the phone and use our online scheduler.
You might be surprised how easy it is.

Find Help in Your Area

implementation@officepracticum.com (Graham Daugherty) — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:53:35 GMT

Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs in your area.

Visit the Find Help web site and enter your zip code to find assistance in your area for:

Food
Housing
Goods
Transit
Health
Money
Care
Education
Work
Legal

Visit FindHelp.org to get started!

Learn more about FindHelp .

Welcome To Our Practice News

implementation@officepracticum.com (Graham Daugherty) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 18:40:24 GMT

Hello, parents, caregivers, and all those invested in the well-being of our little ones!

We are thrilled to provide Practice News on our website. We understand the unique joys and challenges that come with raising healthy, happy kids. Through our news section, we aim to provide valuable insights, practical tips, and advice to empower parents in making informed decisions about their children's health and well-being.

With years of experience in pediatric medicine and a dedication to promoting child wellness, we are here to guide you through every stage of your child's development.

Please check out our Resources section for more information or contact us with any questions!