What's the Difference Between a Sick Visit and an Urgent Care Visit?

When you have young kids, it can feel like you’re navigating a constant cycle of sniffles, coughs, stomachaches, and rashes. In fact, it’s normal for children to come down with as many as nine illnesses per year. While most of the bugs they pick up are relatively minor, some may require medical attention.

Find expert advice and treatment at Nie Lina MD PC in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Lina Nie, MD, PhD offers same-day sick visits for infants, children, teens, and young adults, providing diagnosis and treatment for immediate health concerns.

So, what’s the difference between a sick visit with Dr. Nie and a trip to urgent care? Keep reading to learn about your options when your child is unwell.

When to seek a same-day sick visit

If your child is feeling under the weather, figuring out the best course of action can seem a little overwhelming. At Nie Lina MD PC, our first piece of advice is simple: give us a call.

Our team is ready to listen to your concerns and assess your child’s symptoms over the phone. We can guide you to the most appropriate care, whether that’s a same-day appointment with us, a trip to urgent care, or if emergency attention may be necessary.

Dr. Nie may suggest a sick visit if your child is experiencing:

• Fever and chills
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Earache
• Rash/skin irritation 
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Non life-threatening allergic reaction
• Asthma attack

For your convenience, we offer on-site diagnostic testing at our CLIA-certified lab. This allows Dr. Nie to perform tests like blood work, urine analyses, and strep throat swabs right here in the office, providing quick results for more efficient diagnosis and treatment.

Let’s take a look at a few more reasons seeking a sick visit with a trusted pediatrician like Dr. Nie may be the best choice for your child.

Specialized care for kids

Unlike urgent care centers that see a wider range of patients, our pediatrics clinic focuses on kids’ unique needs and provides tailored care just for them.

Consistency in care

As their primary care provider, Dr. Nie already knows your child’s medical history and what’s normal for them health-wise. This means she can make a more accurate diagnosis and create truly personalized treatment plans.

A familiar, welcoming environment

We strive to make our clinic a comfortable and reassuring space for children. When your little one is feeling unwell, being in a familiar environment with friendly faces can help ease their anxiety and make the entire experience less stressful for them and you.

Shorter wait times

Because we schedule same-day sick visits for our patients, you’ll likely experience a shorter wait compared to a busy walk-in urgent care clinic. Dr. Nie is dedicated to helping your child feel better fast.

When urgent care may be helpful

While we encourage you to call us first, sometimes situations arise when our office is closed or you need more immediate attention than a scheduled sick visit allows.

If your child has a high fever, a moderate injury like a possible sprain, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or other sudden illness outside of our regular hours, urgent care can be a helpful option.

Of course, for serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness, please take your child to the nearest emergency room.

Need a same-day sick visit for your child or teen? Call Nie Lina MD PC in Brooklyn, New York. For less urgent concerns, you can also request an appointment online.