Back-to-School Illnesses Every Parent Should Watch For And When to Go to Urgent Care or the ER

As kids head back to school with fresh supplies, new teachers, and the excitement of reuniting with friends, another not-so-welcome guest tends to show up, too: germs.

The start of the school year often triggers a spike in illnesses, especially in young children whose immune systems are still developing. Between close contact in classrooms, shared school supplies, group lunches, and increased time spent indoors, it’s no surprise that viruses and bacteria spread quickly.

But how can you tell when your child just needs a day of rest versus when it’s time to head to urgent care? Here’s what parents should watch for and how iCare Urgent Care is here to help you navigate it all with less stress.

Common Back-to-School Illnesses

Knowing what’s going around can help you act faster and keep symptoms from getting worse, or spreading to others.

1. Strep Throat

A bacterial infection that’s common in school-aged children. It spreads through sneezes, coughs, and even shared drinks or utensils.

Strep Throat Symptoms:

• Sudden sore throat (often without cough)

• Fever

• Swollen glands

• Headache

• White patches on tonsils

⚕️ Why It Matters: Strep requires antibiotics to clear — and untreated strep can lead to complications like scarlet fever or kidney inflammation.

2. Influenza (Flu)

Even in early fall, flu viruses can start circulating. The flu hits fast and hard and can leave kids (and parents!) down for days.

Flu Symptoms:

• High fever

• Fatigue

• Body aches

• Cough and congestion

• Chills and sweats

💉 iCare offers rapid flu testing and, when appropriate, prescription antivirals that work best when given within the first 48 hours of symptoms.

3. Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

It’s not just irritating , it’s highly contagious. Pink eye can be bacterial or viral and spreads like wildfire through schools, especially in younger grades.

Symptoms of Pink Eye:

• Redness in one or both eyes

• Itching or burning

• Eye discharge (clear or yellow)

• Crusting on lashes after sleep

⚕️ iCare can quickly determine the type and recommend effective treatment so your child (and their classmates) don’t miss more school than necessary.

4. Fever & Viral Infections

Fever is often a sign the body is fighting off something. Most viral fevers pass in a day or two, but persistent or very high fevers need medical attention.

Signs to Watch for on Viral Infections:

• Fever over 104°F

• Lasting longer than 3 days

• Accompanied by rash, neck stiffness, or difficulty breathing

⚠️ Trust your instincts. If your child “just doesn’t seem right,” a quick urgent care visit can provide peace of mind.

Keep Kids Healthy This School Year

You can’t prevent every illness, but these simple steps can help reduce sick days:

• Wash hands often — especially before meals

• Teach kids not to share drinks or utensils

• Keep kids home when they have a fever or contagious symptoms

• Stay current on vaccines (including flu & COVID-19)

• Encourage sneezing/coughing into elbows

When to Seek Medical Care This School Year

Back to school often means more exposure to germs, sports injuries, and unexpected illnesses. As a parent, knowing where to go — Urgent Care or the ER — can make all the difference when time and comfort matter.

 When to Visit Urgent Care

Urgent Care is ideal for mild to moderate conditions that need prompt attention but aren’t life-threatening. At iCare, our Urgent Care team treats:

• Strep throat or flu symptoms

• Coughs, colds, and sore throats

• Pink eye or ear infections

• Low-grade or moderate fevers

• Stomach bugs and minor dehydration

• Mild rashes, bug bites, or sprains

• Minor sports injuries

 When to Go to the ER

Some symptoms are more serious and need emergency-level care. If your child shows signs of:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing

• Severe dehydration (dry mouth, no urination for 8+ hours)

• High fever that doesn’t respond to medicine

• Seizures or loss of consciousness

• Sudden confusion or extreme sleepiness

• Stiff neck with headache or rash

Head directly to the Emergency Room. When in doubt, come to iCare — our clinical team will evaluate and guide you to the right level of care.

 Why More Families Trust iCare ER & Urgent Care

When your child needs care, you shouldn’t have to choose between speed and the right level of treatment. At iCare ER & Urgent Care, we provide both Emergency Room and Urgent Care services in one convenient location—so you get answers fast, without the confusion or delays.

We’re open 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends, to fit your family’s schedule. With locations in Fort Worth, Frisco, and Forney, expert care is always close to home.

Here’s why parents continue to choose iCare:

✅ Short wait times because you’ve got enough on your plate
✅ Kid-friendly, compassionate providers
✅ Clean, modern facilities built for comfort
✅ On-site labs, diagnostics, and rapid testing
✅ Easy online check-in to save your spot ahead of time

One location. One expert team. The care your child deserves, right when you need it.