Urgent care is where you go when you have a minor injury or illness but aren't able to get into your primary care physician. If you are already aware of your injury or illness and your symptoms are worsening, but cannot get in to see your regular physician, get to an urgent care facility to be seen and treated. Urgent care is not emergency care, there is a difference. Read below for more information regarding urgent care including when you should go and the difference between emergency and urgent care.
When To Use Urgent Care
Again, urgent care is used when you aren't able to get to your primary care physician. Injuries and illness are usually fairly minor, but if not taken care of could turn into an emergency situation, which is why urgent care is important. See an urgent care provider when:
- You have a mild fever with other symptoms such as chills, sore throat or even vomiting.
- You have a broken bone or sprain that needs to be set.
- You have a cut that requires stitches.
- You are experiencing a mild asthma attack.
- You have kidney pain associated with a bladder or kidney infection.
- You have ear pain which could be an earache or ear infection.
These are just a few of the more common reasons to see an urgent care provider. For emergency illnesses or health problems, you should get to the emergency room. Read on for emergency situations and the difference between the ER and urgent care.
Urgent Care Vs. ER
The main difference between urgent care and the ER is that the ER has all of the necessary medical equipment to treat emergency patients. They have a surgical staff on hand and multiple doctors and nurses to give you aid. Some emergency situations include:
- Deep cuts or lacerations requiring care (or surgery) and stitches or staples.
- Severe asthma attack requiring oxygen or medication.
- Heart attack symptoms such as chest pain, pain radiating down the arm, hands or in the neck.
- Signs of a stroke including drooping of the face, or numbness in one side of the body.
- Head trauma which could lead to a concussion.
- Severe fever, especially in children and babies.
- Toxic or poison ingestion.
There is a difference between urgent care and emergency care. If your symptoms are worsening, but are still fairly minor get to the urgent care facility for treatment to find relief.
