When To Go To Urgent Care

Health & Medical Blog

If you're sick or injured, it can be tough to know where to go or what to do. Should you go to your primary care doctor or go to urgent care? Here are six medical concerns that you should go to an urgent care center to treat:

1. The flu

The flu is much more serious than a typical cold. Symptoms include fever, aches, chills, and malaise. Unlike a cold, the flu can lead to serious complications like pneumonia or bronchitis. It's important to seek treatment as soon as your symptoms develop. Antiviral medications are most effective when started within two days of developing symptoms.

2. Diarrhea or vomiting

An upset stomach can seem harmless, but persistent diarrhea or vomiting can lead to dehydration. Seek immediate care if your diarrhea or vomiting lasts more than two days or doesn't respond to over the counter medicine. Many walk in clinics can prescribe medication and treat the dehydration.

3. Certain injuries

Certain injuries may require immediate treatment that you can't do at home. Even if the injury isn't enough to require emergency care, if left untreated the injury can worsen and lead to serious complications. Here are injuries that necessitate urgent care:

  • Sprains or strains
  • Cut or wound that needs stitches
  • Bone break or fracture
  • Second-degree burns or burns larger than 3 inches

4. Back pain

If you're having acute back pain, especially after an accident, seek treatment from an urgent care. Many urgent care centers perform diagnostic tests right on site including x-rays. The medical team at an urgent care center can quickly determine what is wrong and prescribe treatment for your back.

5. Diagnostic test

If you have any symptoms that require diagnostic testing and your doctor's office is closed, you should go to an urgent care. Here are some examples of the tests that can be done based on your symptoms:

  • Strep culture for a sore throat
  • Influenza rapid test for fevers, aches, and chills
  • Chest x-rays if you have fever, cough, and shortness of breath
  • Urine culture if you have burning during urination

6. Gynecological issues

If you notice any new gynecological symptoms, seek urgent care. You may have difficulty making an appointment with your gynecologist, but you can walk right into an urgent care center. Here are some issues that you should seek immediate care for:

  • Bleeding or spotting when not on your period
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding that is not usual
  • Vaginal bleeding, pain, itchiness, or swelling, especially after sex
  • Unusual discharge or smell

These are six reasons to go to an urgent care center. If you're not sure if you need treatment, contact a clinic, such as West Ocean City Injury & Illness Center, today.

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27 April 2016

introducing your daughter to the gynecologist

Having a daughter comes with a number of challenges. One challenge that you will one day need to tackle is determining when to introduce your daughter to the gynecologist. Do you take your daughter to the same gynecologist that you see or take her somewhere else? Do you wait until she gets her first period or do you take her in to learn about the menstrual cycle from the doctor? There is a long list of questions you likely have about introducing your daughter to the world of gynecology. Having gone through this twice myself, I have learned quite a bit and have included a lot of helpful information in my site to help other parents get through this complicated time a little easier.