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When Your Child Is Sick:
What to Do and Where to Start

Know where to start when your child is not feeling well.

Learn when to call Peak Vista, when walk-in care may be an option, what to share with the care team, and how to prepare for a sick-child visit.

Coming Soon - Pediatric Walk-In Center

Beginning October 1, Peak Vista's Pediatric Walk-In Center will provide walk-in care for children, teens, and young adults from birth through age 21.

Monday - Saturday | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. | No appointment needed.

Start Here for Sick-Child Care

Know Where to Start at Peak Vista

Call Peak Vista for guidance, or learn when the Pediatric Walk-In Center may be an option.

Prepare for a Sick-Child Care Visit

Bring symptom notes, medications, and questions for the provider.

Plan Your Child's Next Step in Care

Follow the care plan and ask about follow-up needs.

What to Do When Your Child Is Sick

Choosing the Right Next Step

Families can call Peak Vista when their child is sick, symptoms are non life-threatening, or they are unsure where to start.

For many common illnesses or minor injuries, the Pediatric Walk-In Center may be another option. No appointment is needed.

The Pediatric Walk-In Center can help with concerns such as:
  • Fever.
  • Colds, coughs, and congestion.
  • Flu and COVID-19.
  • Sore throat and strep throat.
  • Ear infections.
  • Pink eye.
  • Vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Mild asthma concerns.
  • Rashes and mild allergic reactions.
  • Minor cuts, burns, sprains, and injuries.
  • Sports-related minor injuries.
If your child has severe, sudden, or life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care right away.

Note: This page gives general guidance and does not replace medical advice. For help understanding primary care, urgent care, and emergency care, visit the When to Seek Care page.

Why This Matters: Knowing where to start can help your child get the right care at the right time.

When you call about a sick child, share what you know. This helps the care team understand what is happening.

Helpful information may include:
  • Your child's age.
  • Your child's symptoms and when they started.
  • Your child's temperature, if you have checked it.
  • Any medications your child is taking.
  • Any allergies your child has.
  • Any ongoing health conditions.
  • Any trouble breathing or changes in breathing.
  • Whether your child is drinking fluids and using the bathroom.
  • Whether your child is acting normal, more tired, or is harder to wake.
  • Whether symptoms are getting better, getting worse, or staying the same.
Note: You do not need to have every detail before calling. Share what you know.

Why This Matters: Clear information helps the care team understand your child’s needs and recommend next steps.

Preparing for a Sick-Child Visit

Before & During the Visit

A prescription is an order from your provider for a medication.

The prescription process may include:
  • Your provider deciding if medication is needed.
  • Reviewing your allergies and current medications.
  • Sending the prescription to a pharmacy.
  • Checking insurance, payment, or pharmacy requirements.
  • Picking up the medication or asking about delivery options.
  • Asking questions before you start taking it.
Note: Some medications may require extra steps, such as follow-up testing, provider review, or pharmacy processing time.

Why This Matters: Understanding how prescriptions work can help you avoid delays and know what to expect after your visit.

You do not need an appointment. If possible, please bring:
  • Your child's insurance card, if they have one.
  • A list of medications your child takes.
  • Information about your child's allergies.
  • Notes about your child's symptoms and when they started.
  • Your child's temperature, if you have checked it.
  • Any questions you want to ask.
Why This Matters: The Pediatric Walk-In Center provides same-day care for children, teens, and young adults through age 21 who are sick or have a minor injury.

Filling a prescription means getting a new medication, while refilling means getting more of a medication you already take.

To help manage fills and refills:
  • Ask where your prescription was sent.
  • Request refills before you run out.
  • Check whether you have refills out.
  • Contact your pharmacy if you are unsure about refill timing.
  • Ask your provider if a medication needs a new prescription.
  • Allow extra time if the pharmacy needs to contact your provider.
Note: If you use a Peak Vista pharmacy, review Peak Vista Pharmacy Services for refill instructions, locations, and eligibility details.

Why This Matters: Requesting refills early can help you stay on track with your medication plan.

Keeping an updated medication list can help your care team make safer care decisions.

A medication list may include:
  • Medication names.
  • Dose or strength.
  • How often you take each medication.
  • Why you take each medication, if known.
  • Allergies or past medication reactions.
  • Vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
Note: Bring your medication list to appointments and update it when medications change.

Why This Matters: An updated medication list helps your care team understand your full care plan and reduce medication mistakes.

After the Visit and Staying Well

Recovery & Next Steps

Ask questions if you do not understand how to take a medication or why it was prescribed.

You may want to ask about:
  • How and when to take the medication.
  • What side effects to watch for.
  • Whether the medication should be taken with food.
  • What to do if you miss a dose.
  • Whether it is safe with other medications or supplements.
  • When to schedule follow-up care.
Note: You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out to your care team.

Why This Matters: Clear medication instructions can help you feel more confident and reduce the chance of mistakes.

Some medications need follow-up care to make sure they are working safely and correctly.

Medication follow-up may include:
  • Reviewing symptoms or side effects.
  • Checking blood pressure, blood sugar, or other health measures.
  • Order lab tests when needed.
  • Adjusting the dose or changing medication.
  • Reviewing medications after a hospital or specialist visit.
  • Discussing refills or long-term care plans.
Note: Some follow-up visits may be available through telehealth, depending on your care needs.

Why This Matters: Follow-up care helps make sure medications are working as planned and supporting your health safely.

Medication costs and pharmacy access can vary based on your medication, insurance, pharmacy, and eligibility.

Support may include help with:
  • Understanding where to ask medication cost questions.
  • Reviewing insurance or enrollment options.
  • Asking your provider about lower-cost medication options.
  • Learning where to find pharmacy payment details.
  • Connecting with support services when available.
Note: If cost is a concern, ask your care team before stopping or delaying a medication.

Why This Matters: Asking about cost early can help you avoid missed doses or delays in care.

Peak Vista offers pharmacy services for eligible Peak Vista patients.

For pharmacy-specific details, visit Peak Vista Pharmacy Services to learn about:
  • Who can use Peak Vista pharmacies.
  • Accepted payment types.
  • Pharmacy locations and hours.
  • Prescription refills.
  • Delivery to select health centers.
  • Medication questions for pharmacy staff.
Note: Pharmacy services at Peak Vista have specific guidelines for eligibility, payment, refills, locations, hours, and delivery.

Why This Matters: Pharmacy details can affect where you go, how you pay, and how you get your medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions from Parents & Caregivers

The next step after a missed dose depends on the medication and your provider’s instructions.

If you miss a dose:
  • Check the medication lable or instructions.
  • Do not double up unless instructed.
  • Contact your pharmacist or care team if unsure.
  • Ask what to do if this happens again.
  • Use reminders or a pill organizer if helpful.

Refill steps can vary depending on the pharmacy, medication, and whether refills are still available.

To request a refill:
  • Contact your pharmacy before you run out.
  • Check whether refills are listed on your medication label.
  • Use MyChart if refill requests are available for your medication.
  • Call your care team if the pharmacy needs provider approval.
  • Allow extra time for special orders or insurance steps.
Note: Some medications may require your provider to approve a new prescription.

Medication costs can vary based on the medication, pharmacy, insurance, and available support programs.

Support options may include:
  • Asking about lower-cost medication options.
  • Reviewing pharmacy payment options.
  • Checking eligibility for support programs.
  • Getting help with insurance or enrollment questions.
  • Talking with your provider before stopping medication.
Note: Do not stop taking a prescribed medication because of cost without talking to your care team first.

Side effects can happen when starting or changing a medication.

You should ask for help if you have:
  • Side effects that do not improve.
  • New symptoms after starting medication.
  • Trouble taking the medication as directed.
  • Dizziness, weakness, or confusion.
  • Rash, swelling, or breathing problems.
  • Concerns about stopping the medication.
Note: If side effects feel severe or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Yes. Patients can ask questions about medications, side effects, refills, and follow-up care.

You can ask about medications by:
  • Talking with your provider during a visit.
  • Sending a non-urgent MyChart message.
  • Calling your health center or care team.
  • Asking pharmacy staff when picking up medication.
  • Scheduling a visit if you need more time to review medications.
Note: If you have severe symptoms or a medical emergency, seek urgent or emergency care instead of waiting for a message response.

Yes. Patients can ask questions about medications, side effects, refills, and follow-up care.

You can ask about medications by:
  • Talking with your provider during a visit.
  • Sending a non-urgent MyChart message.
  • Calling your health center or care team.
  • Asking pharmacy staff when picking up medication.
  • Scheduling a visit if you need more time to review medications.
Note: If you have severe symptoms or a medical emergency, seek urgent or emergency care instead of waiting for a message response.

Yes. Patients can ask questions about medications, side effects, refills, and follow-up care.

You can ask about medications by:
  • Talking with your provider during a visit.
  • Sending a non-urgent MyChart message.
  • Calling your health center or care team.
  • Asking pharmacy staff when picking up medication.
  • Scheduling a visit if you need more time to review medications.
Note: If you have severe symptoms or a medical emergency, seek urgent or emergency care instead of waiting for a message response.

No. Patients do not have to use a Peak Vista pharmacy to fill their prescriptions.

When choosing a pharmacy, consider:
  • Whether the pharmacy accepts your insurance or payment type.
  • How close the pharmacy is to your home, work, or health center.
  • Whether your medication is available there.
  • Whether refill options are convenient for you.
  • Whether you can speak with a pharmacist if you have questions.
Note: Peak Vista pharmacies are available to eligible Peak Vista patients. Review Peak Vista Pharmacy Services for pharmacy access, payment, location, and refill details.