When to call 911:

Not breathing or significant difficulty in breathing
Turning blue
Seizures or convulsions
Uncontrollable bleeding
Neck injuries
Loss of consciousness, with or without a history of trauma
Drug overdose (also call Poison Control at 202-625-3333)
Broken bones
Paralysis
Inability to swallow
Serious burns
Severe abdominal pain, especially after trauma
Severe allergic reaction (even if you’ve used your Epi-Pen)

We encourage all parents to take a First Aid Class and learn CPR.

Some urgent problems are not life-threatening but may be aggravated by delaying treatment. For Example:

Recurrent vomiting may lead to dehydration
A teenager threatening suicide
A worsening asthma attack, despite usual home treatment

When to visit the Emergency Room or Urgent Care:

Most families have used an Emergency Room at least once in their lifetime. Although emergency room care can be life-saving, it may come with long waits and high costs. Please use good judgment in using the Emergency Room. Our office can often treat urgent conditions as well. You may also consider an urgent care facility if our office is not open. You can also call our office for advice related to urgent (not life-threatening) conditions.

Fever (over 100.4) in infants under 3 months old
Asthma attacks not being controlled by usual medications
Head injuries
Eye injuries
Allergic reactions
Injury to teeth (call Dentist)

Consider visiting Urgent Care or the Emergency Room

When to Call NOVA Pediatrics

The following are common problems that are usually not considered to be emergencies, and can wait for office evaluations:

Sore throats
Constipation
Flu
Lice
Pinworms
Earaches
Poison
Bites by ticks or mosquitoes
Pinkeye

Out of Town Emergency

In case an out-of-town emergency occurs, do the following:

Please familiarize yourself with your insurance company policy for seeking care when out of the area. We can help you decide what level of service is needed, but we do not know the facilities that your insurance company may prefer.
Remember to take along your child’s medications and equipment.
If your child has a significant medical problem that may require emergency care, familiarize yourself in advance with the facilities available at your destination.

When to call 911:

When to visit the Emergency Room or Urgent Care:

Consider visiting Urgent Care or the Emergency Room

When to Call NOVA Pediatrics

Out of Town Emergency

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