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Should I go to urgent care or the hospital?

If your injury or illness isn't a true emergency, walk-in clinics can provide fast, professional, and affordable treatment.

Updated on June 24, 2024

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The hospital emergency department (ED) is critical when you need immediate treatment for a life-threatening situation. But what about those other cases when your ailment or injury isn't dire, but still requires prompt attention? For example, do you have an ankle sprain or a suspicious rash? That's where urgent care comes in.

"Urgent care's scope of service is for minor,Show More

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Cuts

Whether you've slashed your thumb cutting through a bagel or sliced your foot on broken glass, urgent care can treat most wounds requiring more than a bandage and antibiotic ointment. "The majority of folks who walk into our clinic that need stitches—we're going to repair them," says Dr. Kaplan.

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Fever

Fevers are more dangerous for some age groups than others. If your child is 3 months old or younger and running a rectal temperature of at least 100.4°F, phone your pediatrician or head to the ED. Fevers in newborns can indicate serious health issues and should be treated as quickly as possible.

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Burns

When it comes to treating burns, factors including location, depth, and the percentage of the body covered help determine care, says Kaplan. Mild or moderate burns, also known as first- or second-degree burns, are typically reddish, swollen, and may involve blisters. These can be treated at urgentShow More

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Sprains, strains and breaks

Did you twist your ankle carrying groceries to the car? Urgent care can (usually) handle that. "Most strains or sprains could be seen and treated in an urgent care setting," says Kaplan. Depending on the location of the injury and the cause, the urgent care physician may recommend an X-Show More

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Vomiting and diarrhea

Most bouts of diarrhea and stomach bugs go away on their own. But if you're becoming best friends with your bathroom, you might consider a trip to urgent care.

"Most of the cases we treat for vomiting or diarrhea are acute viral illnesses related to rotavirus or other types of viral illnesses,"Show More

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Skin problems

Some of the most common ailments treated at urgent care are skin-related, especially rashes. "We see contact dermatitis, rashes from shingles, childhood rashes from different viruses, and rashes from plants, chemicals, and metals," says Kaplan.

Summertime is peak season for poison ivy and poisonShow More

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When to call 911

In addition to severe burns, deep cuts, and diarrhea that just won't quit, some other events and symptoms also require a trip to the ED. Skip the urgent care center and get immediate emergency attention for:

  • Chest pain, particularly if it's accompanied by arm or jaw pain, and especially in a
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Definitive Healthcare. How many urgent care centers are in each U.S. state? February 16, 2024.

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