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When to Call the Pediatrician, Go to Urgent Care, or Head to the ER
A clear decision guide for common childhood illnesses and injuries, plus how to reach our on-call physician after hours.
By Rezia Divaker, MDJuly 2, 2026Medically reviewed July 2, 2026
Choosing the right level of care saves time, money, and worry. Here is how we suggest thinking about it.
Call our office first for
- Fever without severe symptoms in a child over three months.
- Ear pain, sore throat, or a lingering cough.
- Rashes without breathing trouble.
- Mild vomiting or diarrhea with normal alertness.
- Medication questions, refills, and school forms.
Urgent care may be appropriate when
- Our office is closed and the concern cannot wait until morning.
- A minor injury may need stitches.
- You suspect a simple fracture with normal circulation and no deformity.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for
- Difficulty breathing, blue lips, or severe wheezing.
- Any fever in a baby under three months old.
- Seizure, unresponsiveness, or a serious head injury.
- Severe allergic reaction after using epinephrine.
- Deep wounds with heavy bleeding, or a visibly deformed limb.
- Suspected poisoning; also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Why we prefer you call us first
We know your child's history. A quick call often prevents an unnecessary waiting room visit and gets your child seen faster in the setting that fits.
When to call Divaker Pediatrics
Our Mount Dora office is here for questions big and small. Call 352-383-8386 to schedule a visit, or use the healow patient portal to send a message to our team. If your child has a medical emergency, call 911.