October is full of spooky decorations, scary movies and things that go bump in the night. Getting sick or injured does not have to be one of them.
Urgent care can be a convenient option when you need medical attention for an illness or injury that is not serious enough for the emergency room but cannot wait for a regular doctor’s appointment.
But how do you know when to go to urgent care? And what can urgent care actually treat?
Here is what you should know before your next unexpected illness or injury.
When to Go to Urgent Care
Urgent care is designed for health concerns that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening.
If your primary care provider is not available and you need care today, urgent care may be a good option.
Common reasons to visit urgent care include:
- Colds, coughs, and sore throats
- Flu symptoms
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Fever
- Minor cuts and wounds
- Sprains and strains
- Minor burns
- Rashes and skin infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Allergies and mild asthma symptoms
- Pink eye
- Minor fractures and injuries
If you are not sure whether your symptoms need urgent care, calling ahead can help you understand your care options.
What Can Urgent Care Do?
Urgent care can provide treatment for many common illnesses and minor injuries. Depending on the clinic, services may include testing, treatment, X-rays, stitches and other basic procedures.
At Jovive Urgent Care, our team can help with a wide range of everyday health concerns, including:
- Treat Common Illnesses: From a bad cough to a painful sore throat, urgent care can evaluate many common illnesses and help determine the right treatment.
We can also provide testing for certain illnesses, such as flu, COVID-19 and strep throat, when appropriate.
- Treat Minor Injuries: You do not always need a trip to the emergency room for an injury. Urgent care can evaluate many minor injuries, including sprains, strains, cuts and some fractures.
Depending on the injury, treatment may include wound care, stitches, splinting or an X-ray.
- Help With Infections: Urgent care can evaluate and treat many common infections, including ear infections, sinus infections, UTIs, skin infections and pink eye.
Getting treatment early can help you get back to your normal routine sooner.
- Provide Testing and Basic Services: Urgent care clinics may offer testing and other services that can help diagnose your illness or injury. Services vary by location, so check with your local clinic to find out what is available.
Urgent Care or the Emergency Room?
Knowing when to choose urgent care versus the emergency room can help you get the right level of care.
Choose urgent care for medical concerns that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening, such as a minor injury, fever, ear infection or painful sore throat.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for signs of a medical emergency. This can include severe chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, loss of consciousness or other symptoms that could be life-threatening.
When in doubt about a serious or life-threatening symptom, seek emergency medical care.
Don’t Let a Sick Day Haunt You
Getting sick or injured can be stressful, but knowing where to go for care can make things easier.
Whether you have a stubborn cough, a painful sprain or another unexpected health concern, urgent care may be the right place to start when you need care quickly and your regular doctor is not available.
If you are wondering when to go to urgent care, consider how serious your symptoms are and how quickly you need to be seen. For life-threatening symptoms, always choose emergency care.
When your health concern is urgent but not an emergency, Jovive Urgent Care is here to help.
