When your child gets sick or injured, knowing where to go for care can make a big difference. Lee Health offers both Emergency Rooms (ER) and Convenient Care centers, each designed for different types of medical needs. Understanding the difference helps you make the best decision for your family’s health and safety.
What Is Convenient Care?
Lee Health’s Convenient Care medical centers are walk-in clinics designed to treat non-life-threatening conditions quickly and efficiently. These centers are ideal for:
• Sprains and strains
• Minor cuts, rashes, and burns
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Auto and work-related injuries
• School and sports physicals
Each location is equipped with X-ray capabilities to diagnose fractures and broken bones, as long as the bone is not protruding through the skin.
Convenient Care is especially helpful when:
• You can’t get a same-day appointment with your primary care doctor
• You’re not currently established with a primary care physician
• You need immediate care for a minor issue
“Convenient Care is a great alternative to using the emergency department for non-life-threatening medical issues—especially during season,” says Kris Fay, Chief Administrative Officer of Lee Physician Group. “It gives the community immediate access to quality, hospital-affiliated health care provided by our trusted Lee Physician Group physicians and skilled nurses.”
Cold vs. Flu: Know the Difference
As flu season approaches, it’s important to understand the difference between the flu and the common cold. While both are respiratory illnesses, they’re caused by different viruses and have distinct symptoms.
According to Mary Beth Saunders, D.O., Lee Health’s Medical Director of Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, and Steve Streed, Director of Epidemiology and Infection Control, here’s how to tell them apart:
Flu Symptoms:
• Fever or feeling feverish (often over 100°F, though not everyone with flu has a fever)
• Chills
• Severe chest congestion
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Intense muscle aches
• Cough
• Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)
Cold Symptoms:
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
The flu tends to come on suddenly and hits harder than a cold. If your child complains of body aches and seems unusually tired or feverish, it may be more than just a sniffle.
Where Should You Take Your Child?
If your child has mild symptoms—like a sore throat, runny nose, or low-grade fever—start by contacting your family physician. If they’re unavailable, Lee Health’s Convenient Care centers are a great option. These walk-in clinics are staffed by experienced providers and offer quick access to care without the long wait times often associated with ER visits.
Lee Health has four Convenient Care locations across the region, making it easy to find one near you. You can also visit other walk-in or urgent care centers if needed.
When to Head to the ER
While Convenient Care is perfect for minor illnesses and injuries, some situations require emergency medical attention. If your child experiences any of the following, go directly to the ER or call 911:
• Severe bleeding that won’t stop
• Head injury with loss of consciousness, fainting, or confusion
• Neck or spine injury
• Electric shock or serious burns
• Chest pain or pain in the arm or jaw
• Sudden confusion or disorientation
• Intense abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing or changes in skin color
• Fever with vomiting and nausea
• Fever in a baby under 3 months old
• Fever of 104°F or higher in older children
• Sudden dizziness or vision changes
• Falls from a significant height
• Deep or gaping wounds
• Life-threatening injuries
• Seizures lasting longer than 3–5 minutes
• Suspected poisoning
• Car accidents involving unconsciousness or severe injury
These symptoms may indicate serious health risks that require immediate, advanced care only available in an emergency department.
Quick Tips for Flu Season
To help your family stay healthy this season, here are a few quick tips from Lee Health’s infection prevention team:
• Get vaccinated. The flu shot is your best defense against serious illness.
• Wash hands often. Teach kids to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Stay home when sick. If your child has flu symptoms, keep them home to rest and avoid spreading illness.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Use tissues or elbows—not hands—to prevent germs from spreading.
• Disinfect surfaces. Regularly clean doorknobs, light switches, and shared electronics.
Convenient Care: Fast, Friendly, and Local
Lee Health’s Convenient Care centers are open seven days a week, with extended hours to fit your schedule. No appointment is needed, and most insurance plans are accepted. Whether your child needs a sports physical, treatment for a minor injury, or help managing flu symptoms, our team is ready to help.
By knowing when to choose Convenient Care and when to head to the ER, you can make informed decisions that keep your family safe and healthy. And remember—when in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek emergency care.
Lee Health