Sore throats and flu symptoms are some of the most common reasons children come to our clinic.
Common Questions
Strep throat can be much more serious than a sore throat. If left untreated, it can cause problems with the kidney and cause heart problems. Most younger children with strep throat have a fever and severe sore throat, while older children may only have a sore throat. Occasionally, a rash can accompany Strep Throat.
Many children will have swollen red tonsils with white or yellow spots, along with tiny red spots on the roof of their mouth. Some children will only have a stomachache, swollen lymph nodes or a rash. A Strep test is the only way to diagnose with certainty. The Rapid Strep Test at After Hour Pediatrics is 97% sensitive and provides results in 15 minutes.
Your child is contagious for 18 to 24 hours after starting antibiotics. After Hour Pediatrics can provide the first dose at the clinic to prevent to spread to family members and ensure a rapid return to school.
Influenza or “Flu”
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to very severe symptoms. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people such as senior citizens, young children and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
Common Questions
A: Flu tends to be more severe than a regular cold. Many children have high fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough and runny nose.
A: After Hour Pediatrics can perform a Rapid Flu test in the office with results in 20 minutes. During the coronavirus pandemic, we suggest checking for COVID-19 as well. Both rapid tests can be performed with one nose swab.
Yes. Flu can be treated with an antiviral medicine called Tamiflu. Tamiflu works only if started within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms so come in quickly if you suspect influenza. Young children and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma should be treated.
Yes. The flu vaccine can help to prevent flu, though it’s not 100% effective. It must be taken annually. All the precautions we used to prevent Covid-19 prevent flu as well.
We are a family-friendly children’s urgent care and minor emergency center in downtown San Mateo
For over 20 years, we have provided pediatric urgent medical care to babies, children and young adults from San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno, San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, and Foster City. The clinic is staffed by Board Certified pediatricians, is easy to find, and has parking right outside the door.
Our clinic is open for Urgent Care after hours when your child’s doctor is unavailable. We recommend you make an appointment so we can prepare for your arrival, please fill out all the forms and upload your insurance information. We have a limited number of walk-in spots each night.
Questions & Answers
A: We treat Urgent Care patients from birth to age 26. If we are very busy, we give younger children priority and may ask the young adult to be seen in Adult Urgent Care.
A: You should come to After Hour Pediatrics if your child requires urgent care when your pediatrician or primary care physician’s office is closed. We are a convenient and affordable alternative to the Emergency Room. If the injury or illness is life-threatening, you should go to the nearest hospital.
We are open 365 days a year, Monday-Friday 5pm -10pm and Weekends/Holidays 10am-10pm.
If you are in doubt about whether to come and visit us please call us at 650-579-6581
A: The typical visit requires 30 -60 minutes depending on the services you need. If you need lab tests, breathing treatments or a procedure performed, you may be in the office for longer. During surge of illnesses or patients with emergencies, wait times can be longer.
For Urgent Care, you can “Save a Spot” or drop in. We see walk in patients in the order that they arrive with exceptions for critically ill children or those at high-risk. We do our best to see “Saved Spots” on time, and always leave openings for walk in patients.
- We believe sick or injured children should be seen by a pediatrician. Other urgent care facilities may have pediatric rooms or areas designated for children, but they are not staffed with clinicians who have specialized training in pediatrics.
- We are ideally located in downtown San Mateo, 10 minutes from San Francisco airport.
- We offer free parking right outside our front door.
- We are child friendly, caring, compassionate and gentle.
- We will work with your child’s primary physician, informing them about your visit and ensuring they are fully briefed about your child’s medical situation as soon as possible.
- We are independently run so you can talk to us about financial pressures. We might be able to help.