When your child gets sick or hurt, you need fast answers — not a three-day wait for a pediatrician appointment. Fortunately, kids urgent care at CityHealth San Leandro is designed for exactly that: same-day care for children when something can’t wait, but isn’t a life-threatening emergency.
Whether it’s a sudden fever in the middle of the night, a nasty cough that won’t quit, or a scraped knee that needs a closer look, our providers are here to help. You can walk in without an appointment, seven days a week.
What Conditions Does Kids Urgent Care Treat?
Kids urgent care handles a wide range of common childhood illnesses and injuries. If your child’s condition doesn’t require a 911 call, urgent care is usually the right move. Here’s what our team treats regularly:
Illnesses and Infections
- Fever — including fever in children over 3 months. Infants under 3 months with fever should go to the ER.
- Ear infections — one of the most common reasons kids visit urgent care
- Strep throat — rapid strep test and antibiotics if positive, same visit
- Flu and COVID — rapid testing and antiviral treatment when appropriate
- Sinus infections — evaluation and prescriptions if bacterial
- Croup — the barking cough that often shows up at night
- RSV symptoms — in children and teens (severe RSV in infants may need the ER)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis) — bacterial or viral, we can determine which
- UTIs and bladder infections — yes, children get these too
- Stomach bugs — including vomiting, diarrhea, and mild dehydration
- Skin rashes and hives — when you’re not sure what caused them
Injuries and Minor Trauma
- Cuts that may need stitches — on-site wound care and closure
- Sprains and strains — from sports or play
- Minor fractures — we have on-site X-ray to check the bone
- Burns — minor to moderate (severe burns need the ER)
- Head bumps — we can assess for concussion symptoms
- Insect bites and stings — including swollen reactions (anaphylaxis = ER)
- Eye injuries — something in the eye, redness, or swelling
- Bruised or jammed fingers and toes
When to Go to Kids Urgent Care vs. the ER
This is the question every parent asks. In short, urgent care is right for things that need attention soon but aren’t life-threatening. The ER, however, is for emergencies.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most childhood illnesses and minor injuries can be safely treated at an urgent care center — saving time and money compared to an emergency room visit.
Go to Kids Urgent Care for:
- Fever in children over 3 months without other serious symptoms
- Ear pain or ear drainage
- Sore throat, cough, or cold that’s getting worse
- Rashes without breathing difficulty or swelling of the face
- Minor cuts, wounds, or lacerations
- Suspected sprain or minor fracture
- Vomiting or diarrhea without severe dehydration signs
- Eye infections or pink eye
Go to the ER for:
- Difficulty breathing or lips turning blue
- Fever in an infant under 3 months
- Loss of consciousness or seizure
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — throat closing, tongue swelling
- Suspected broken bone with deformity or severe pain
- Severe head injury or signs of concussion (vomiting, confusion)
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
- Signs of severe dehydration (no urination, dry mouth, sunken eyes)
Not sure which one? When in doubt, however, call ahead or come in. Our team can assess your child and direct you to the ER if needed.
What to Expect at Kids Urgent Care
First-time visits to urgent care can feel a little stressful, especially with a sick or hurt child. That said, the process is simple. Here’s exactly what happens when you come to CityHealth San Leandro:
- Check-in — You can walk in without an appointment. Give your child’s name, date of birth, and reason for the visit. You can also book online to hold a spot ahead of time.
- Insurance and ID — We’ll confirm insurance at check-in. We accept most major plans including Medi-Cal, Alameda Alliance, Blue Shield, Anthem, Aetna, and more.
- Triage — A nurse or medical assistant will take vitals: temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. They’ll note your child’s symptoms.
- Provider visit — A doctor or nurse practitioner will examine your child, ask questions about symptoms, and decide what tests or treatment are needed.
- Testing if needed — We can run rapid strep tests, flu tests, COVID tests, urinalysis, and basic blood work on site. X-rays are available for injuries.
- Treatment and discharge — If your child needs a prescription, we can send it directly to your pharmacy. We’ll explain care instructions before you leave.
Most visits take 30-60 minutes from check-in to discharge, depending on how busy we are and what testing is needed.
Do You Need Insurance for Kids Urgent Care?
No — we see patients with and without insurance. In fact, CityHealth San Leandro accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including many Medi-Cal managed care plans common in Alameda County.
We accept:
- Medi-Cal (including Alameda Alliance for Health)
- Medicare
- Blue Shield and Anthem
- Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare
- Most employer-sponsored plans
Not sure if we take your insurance? Simply book online and we’ll verify before your visit, or call us and we’ll check on the spot.
What Age Groups Does Kids Urgent Care Serve?
Generally, CityHealth sees children starting at 6 months old through the teen years. For infants younger than 6 months, we recommend a pediatric ER for anything beyond a routine check — very young infants can change quickly and benefit from the equipment a children’s hospital offers.
For children 6 months and up, our providers are experienced in pediatric evaluation. We see:
- Toddlers (6 months – 3 years) — fevers, ear infections, croup, minor falls
- School-age children (4 – 12 years) — sports injuries, strep, flu, pink eye, stitches
- Teenagers (13 – 17 years) — sports physicals, illness, STI testing, mental health referrals
We also offer school and sports physicals for kids — same-day, no appointment needed.
Tips for Bringing Kids to Urgent Care
Additionally, a few simple preparations make the visit smoother:
- Write down symptoms — when they started, how severe, anything that makes them better or worse
- Bring your insurance card — and a photo ID for the parent or guardian
- Know current medications — including any OTC meds given at home before the visit
- Bring a snack or small toy — wait times vary and younger kids do better with a distraction
- Book online if possible — it typically reduces wait time and confirms we’re seeing your age group today
Kids Urgent Care Near Me in San Leandro
CityHealth Urgent Care is located in San Leandro, CA — conveniently serving families in San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, Alameda, and surrounding East Bay communities. Specifically, we’re open seven days a week with same-day appointments and walk-in visits.
We also offer virtual urgent care for minor illnesses when you can’t make it in — a convenient option for follow-up visits or when your child isn’t up to leaving the house.
CityHealth San Leandro offers same-day kids urgent care — walk in or book online. Open 7 days a week. Most insurance accepted including Medi-Cal and Alameda Alliance.
Book a Same-Day Appointment →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can urgent care treat children?
Yes. CityHealth San Leandro treats children starting at 6 months for most common illnesses and injuries. We offer the same services as a pediatric urgent care center, including rapid testing, X-rays, and on-site prescriptions.
Do I need an appointment for kids urgent care?
No appointment is needed. You can walk in any day of the week. We also offer online booking if you want to hold a spot and reduce wait time.
Does kids urgent care do strep tests?
Yes. We offer rapid strep tests with results in about 5-10 minutes. If positive, we can prescribe antibiotics during the same visit.
What is the difference between kids urgent care and a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is your child’s primary care doctor for routine checkups and ongoing care. Kids urgent care handles same-day problems — illnesses and injuries — when your pediatrician isn’t available or when something needs attention right away.
How much does kids urgent care cost?
Cost depends on your insurance. Most plans cover urgent care visits at a co-pay, typically $20-$75. We accept Medi-Cal, Alameda Alliance, and most major commercial plans. Self-pay pricing is also available — ask at check-in.
Does CityHealth see infants?
We see children 6 months and older. For infants under 3 months with a fever, we recommend a pediatric emergency room, as very young infants require more specialized monitoring.
