Understanding Urgent Cares: When To Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Urgent care clinics are healthcare facilities that treat immediate medical needs. Sometimes, people have medical issues that, while not emergencies, still need to be addressed right away. An urgent care is the place to go when a nonemergency medical need arises that cannot wait for an appointment.

Overview of an urgent care

These facilities fill the gap between one’s regular doctor and a hospital emergency room (ER). They are set up to assist patients on a walk-in basis who have an urgent medical need, which is a medical need that needs to be addressed quickly but is not a threat to life or limb. Urgent cares are staffed by physicians, nurses, medical assistants, radiologic technicians, and other medical staff. Typically, they have onsite X-ray and lab services, can treat various illnesses and injuries, and provide some general basic health services.

When to seek help at an urgent care

If you are dealing with a medical emergency, go to an ER or call 911. Medical emergencies include anything that could result in loss of life, loss of a pregnancy, or permanent disability. However, if your medical need is not an emergency but still needs immediate care, seek help at an urgent care. The following are key examples of common immediate medical needs for urgent care:

Flu, cold, sore throat, and cough

Urgent care can help patients struggling with common cold and flu symptoms that do not respond to home care. At an urgent care, a provider can run tests to determine the nature of the illness. They can also provide medication and treatment to help eliminate infections or make symptoms easier to manage.

Sprains and strains

An urgent care can provide an X-ray to determine the nature of the injury and ensure no bones were broken. In addition, a provider can ensure the injury is wrapped properly to aid healing and help prevent it from worsening. Finally, an urgent care may provide medication to help ease discomfort and inflammation.

Infections and allergic reactions

For nonemergency infections and allergic reactions, urgent care can provide treatments and medications to help relieve symptoms and prevent complications. Even a seemingly minor infection or allergic reaction should be promptly dealt with to prevent it from worsening. Urgent care can confirm the infection or allergic reaction and prescribe oral or topical medication.

Cuts that need stitches

Sometimes, a cut, puncture wound, or laceration is not serious enough for an ER but still needs stitches. These cases are best suited to urgent care. It is important to get stitches when needed for proper healing and to help prevent infection.

Mild to moderate digestive problems

Digestive issues such as diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, and stomach pain do not always warrant a trip to the ER. However, these symptoms can continue to worsen without treatment, cause discomfort, and impair functioning. An urgent care provider can help identify the cause and prescribe proper treatment.

Helping you with your urgent medical needs

If you have a medical need that requires immediate assistance, Millennium Medical Care Woodbridge can help. Our team helps patients get back to feeling their best. Call today to learn more about our services.

Request an appointment here: https://hillendale.millenniummedicalcare.com or call Millennium Medical Care Woodbridge at (703) 945-1942 for an appointment in our Woodbridge office.

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