6 Symptoms That Warrant an Urgent Care Visit

When you’re sick or injured and need medical care, it’s not always easy to know whether you should call your primary care doctor, visit urgent care, or head to the emergency room. While urgent care clinics aren’t a replacement for the ER, they play an important role in managing health concerns that need prompt medical care but aren’t life-threatening. 

Our experienced specialists at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland are using this month’s blog to share the top six symptoms that warrant an urgent care visit.

1. Sprains, strains, and other minor injuries

Injuries can happen at any time and don’t always require emergency care. If you’ve had a bad fall, were involved in a minor fender-bender, or developed ankle pain after shooting hoops, getting checked out may help ensure proper treatment and a faster recovery.

At our urgent care clinic, we treat all types of injuries, whether you got hurt at work or playing sports. Common injuries we see include:

• Sprains and strains
• Scrapes and cuts
• Minor burns
• Suspected fractures

We can diagnose and treat your injury and also refer you to a specialist if additional care is needed. Treatment may include immobilizing sprains or fractures, cleaning and stitching minor cuts, or dressing burns.

2. Persistent cough, stuffy nose, or sore throat

Respiratory infections often cause symptoms you can manage at home. However, if your cough or sore throat lingers for weeks, worsens, or leads to shortness of breath, urgent care can help, without the long wait you might experience with your primary care or the emergency room.

We can also test for the flu, COVID-19, and strep throat and provide appropriate treatment and advice to help ease symptoms. 

3. Fevers and infections

Visit urgent care for a fever that lasts more than a few days, especially when accompanied by concerning symptoms such as sinus pain or ear pain.

You should also seek urgent care if you suspect a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sinus infection. These common conditions can lead to complications if left untreated. We can confirm a diagnosis and prescribe antibiotics when appropriate.

Additionally, red, swollen, or oozing wounds may mean you have an infection that needs a prompt evaluation. 

4. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea can lead to dehydration if they last more than a day or two. Urgent care can provide treatment to ease your symptoms and prevent complications. 

5. Sudden or worsening pain

Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t right. If you have sudden or unexpected pain that affects your ability to go about your normal routine, a visit to urgent care can uncover the cause and provide an effective treatment plan.

Seeing the team at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland is also a good option if you have a flare-up of your chronic pain condition and can’t get in to see your regular doctor. We can help you get relief without unnecessary delays.

6. Hives, rash, or itchy skin

Hives, rashes, and itchy skin are common signs of an allergic reaction and may require medical attention. If symptoms appear after hours or you can’t see your primary care doctor right away, urgent care is a convenient and reliable option.

We can help identify the source of your reaction and provide treatments to relieve symptoms. 

When to go to the ER

While urgent care can handle many unexpected illnesses and injuries, it’s important to know when emergency care is necessary.

Go to the emergency room if you have:

• Chest pain
• Head injury
• Difficulty breathing
• Large or deep open cut
• Open fracture
• Seizures
• Severe abdominal pain

These symptoms may indicate serious medical conditions that require immediate medical interventions or hospital-based care, such as surgery or advanced respiratory support.

For all other nonemergency health concerns, urgent care is often the right choice. We can save you time and money while helping you feel better fast. Contact our clinic in Midland, Michigan, when you need prompt, professional medical care.