Should you go to the emergency room or urgent care?

Injuries and health concerns can happen suddenly. But how do you know what type of visit is right for you? We’ve created the following guide to help you decide which type of visit is best for any situation.

virtual visits
If you have a cold or the flu, a virtual visit may be for you. Talking to your doctor on your smartphone or computer means you can stay home and feel better while getting the care you need. More conditions that can be treated with a virtual visit include:

• Runny nose
• sore throat
• Migraine
• Sinus pain
• stomach pain
• allergy
• arthritis
• bedbug bites
• nausea
• Minor cuts or rashes

Personal appointments
Your doctor is often the first person you contact for medical care and advice. Visit your primary care physician for:

• Annual wellness visits
• Routine examinations
• Pap smears
• Vaccinations
• Athletic body
• Unusual physical changes
• prolonged pain
• chronic diseases

Your primary care doctor can also help refer you to a specialist when needed. For same-day care during regular business hours, please call your physician’s office before heading to urgent care.

urgent care
Urgent care is same-day treatment for medical problems that cannot wait but are not life-threatening. Some reasons to visit urgent care include:

• eye infections
• Wounds and burns
• earache
• Urinary tract infection
• STI test
• Sprains or muscle strains
• Minor sports injuries

emergency room
Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Head to your nearest emergency room for any medical problems that need immediate attention, including:

• difficulty breathing
• severe burns
• Poisoning
• severe bleeding
• Broken bones
• seizures
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Chest pain or pressure