If you've been faced with an illness or acute medical condition it can be hard to decide sometimes where is the best place to go to get treatment. If an illness or incident occurs on the weekend or after hours, you may decide to go to urgent care. Here are some common reasons why people travel to an urgent care center for their medical treatment.

Minor Medical Emergency

If you find that you have a minor medical issue that is not life threatening, you should visit an urgent care center. Here are some common reasons to visit urgent care especially if you feel you can't wait for your doctor on the next business day:

  • Severe cold and flu symptoms such as body aches and cough
  • Fever
  • Bladder infection
  • Fingernail or toenail injury
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Sprain
  • Splinter removal
  • Sore throat and congestion

There are some situations in which you should visit your nearest emergency room. These include:

If you are unsure if your medical condition is an emergency, it's always better to err on the side of caution and visit your local hospital where emergency care can be instituted immediately.

Your Doctor's Office Is Closed

You should visit an urgent care center if your doctor's office is closed. This will allow you to ask for medications or receive treatment that can't wait until your doctor is back in the office. Keep in mind that many urgent care centers will still need your doctor's approval to write prescriptions for pain killers or controlled substances.

Fractures

If you've fallen or injured yourself to the point where you are still coherent, an urgent center may be the best option. If someone can drive you there safely, you can receive proper medical care that will include a medical evaluation and an X-ray to determine the extent of your injuries. For minor fractures, they can be wrapped or treated in the office. Severe cases may be referred to the emergency room.

Stitches

Any time you have a severe cut or laceration with uncontrolled bleeding—seek emergency care by calling 911 or go the ER. If you still feel you need stitches but bleeding is under control, you can get treated at an urgent care center. Qualified nurses and doctors will be able to suture the skin and treat you for the entire condition if necessary.

Urgent care centers, like Harrison Medical Center, offer a fast and convenient way to get medical care when you need it. Each facility is different, so always call ahead to ensure you will be able to get treatment when you arrive.

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