Urgent Care or ER?
Urgent Care centers treat illnesses and minor injuries that need attention but are not life-threatening:
- Allergies (minor allergic reactions)
- Asthma
- Back pain, neck pain
- Bites from an animal or insect
- Bruises, cuts and scratches
- Cold or flu, cough or sore throat, pneumonia
- Ear and eye infections
- Fever and minor headaches
- Minor burns and fractures
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Rashes or minor swelling
- Sinus pain
- Sprains or strains to muscles/joints
- Urinary tract infections
Medical emergencies that require an emergency department:
- Active bleeding that won't stop
- Allergic reaction that is severe
- Blood being coughed up
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Head injury/trauma while on blood thinners
- Heart attack, chest pain or discomfort
- Major burns and fractures
- Poison or pills ingested
- Pregnancy-related problems: bleeding, pain
- Serious head injury
- Severe pain in neck or back
- Severe abdominal pain
- Stroke, difficulty with speech or weakness
- Sudden or severe headache
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden inability to walk, confusion or altered mental status
Pediatric emergencies
- Infant less than 2 months old
- Infants with fever
- Infants or children with respiratory distress