Urgent care near me Key points
- Urgent care centers provide treatment for common, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
- Most urgent care centers offer a variety of lab services similar to those in emergency rooms or primary care doctors.
- Urgent care centers also offer routine services like vaccinations, physicals, gynecologic exams, and well baby checks.
- Urgent care centers can administer IVs and medication on a case-by-case basis.
- Urgent care centers can also treat unexplained symptoms like rashes, coughing, body and muscle aches, nausea, and headaches. However, they are not equipped to handle life-threatening conditions, for which emergency services should be contacted.
What Conditions Are Treated at Urgent Care?
The biggest service offered by urgent care facilities is the treatment of common, non life-threatening illnesses and injuries. In general, the things that are treated in urgent care facilities include:
- Allergic reactions and asthma
- Cuts, burns, bug bites and animal bites
- Falls, sprains, strains, and broken bones
- Colds and flus
- Pink eye
- Ear infections
- Sinus pressure and sinus infections (sinusitis)
- Bronchitis and strep throat
Do Urgent Care Centers Provide Lab Services?
Most urgent care centers offer a variety of lab services to better diagnose and help patients. Lab services may be in conjunction with other treatment procedures, diagnostics, and more. The laboratory services offered through an urgent care facility are the same type of services that are offered in an emergency room or through your primary care doctor. Specifically, they include the following lab services:
- COVID-19 Tests, COVID-19 Antibody Tests
- Blood tests including blood glucose, basic and comprehensive metabolic panels, complete blood counts, etc.
- Electrolyte testing
- STD tests
- Pregnancy tests
- Urinalysis
- Drug tests and screenings
- Fecal blood occult
- Flu tests and rapid flu tests
- Strep tests
- PT / INR tests
Do Urgent Care Centers Offer Preventative Health Services?
Urgent care centers also offer a variety of routine services for patients. These services can include many preventative or regular items. Some things included in the routine services offered by urgent care facilities are:
- Vaccinations and flu shots
- Physicals (DOT, school, sports, or annual)
- Gynecologic exams
- Drug screening
- Well baby checks
- And more
What Symptoms are Treated at Urgent Care?
Sometimes, you may not know exactly what is wrong. In this case, it is still a good idea to come to an urgent care facility if you are experiencing some of the following symptoms:
- Rashes and itching
- Coughing (and dry cough), sneezing and wheezing
- Sore throat and strep throat
- Body and muscle aches
- Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Other unexplained pain or swelling
Do Urgent Care Centers Administer IVs and Medication?
Because the staff at all urgent care facilities are medical professionals – either doctors or nurse practitioners, they are able to give you the best medical advice and offerings available. In some cases, this may include items such as IVs and medication. This is on a case-by-case basis. If it is determined that you require a medication, a prescription and more information will be given to you. In addition, if you are dehydrated and require an IV, this will be explained and a medical professional will get this started.
Non Life-Threatening Conditions
It is crucial to remember that if you are encountering a life threatening condition, you need to call 911 or get to the emergency room. Urgent care facilities are generally not equipped to deal with these.
FAQs
What types of conditions can urgent care centers treat?
Urgent care centers can treat a variety of non-life-threatening conditions like allergic reactions, asthma, colds, flus, sinus infections, and minor injuries like cuts, burns, and sprains.
Do urgent care centers offer lab services?
Yes, most urgent care centers offer a variety of lab services including blood tests, STD tests, pregnancy tests, drug tests, and more.
What routine services do urgent care centers offer?
Urgent care centers offer routine services like vaccinations, physicals, gynecologic exams, drug screenings, and well baby checks.
Can urgent care centers administer IVs and medication?
Yes, medical professionals at urgent care centers can administer IVs and medication on a case-by-case basis.
Should I go to an urgent care center for a life-threatening condition?
No, if you have a life-threatening condition, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room. Urgent care centers are not equipped to handle these situations.
Are urgent care centers equipped to deal with life-threatening conditions?
No, urgent care facilities are generally not equipped to deal with life-threatening conditions. If you are encountering a life-threatening condition, you need to call 911 or get to the emergency room.
Are the lab services offered at urgent care centers similar to those offered in an emergency room or through a primary care doctor?
Yes, the laboratory services offered through an urgent care facility are the same type of services that are offered in an emergency room or through your primary care doctor.
Can I go to an urgent care center if I don't know exactly what is wrong?
Yes, if you are experiencing symptoms but are unsure of the cause, it is a good idea to visit an urgent care facility for diagnosis and treatment.
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Medically reviewed
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History
Solv’s team of medical writers and experts review and update our articles when new information becomes available.
July 10 2018
Written by Solv Editorial Team
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD
Solv’s team of medical writers and experts review and update our articles when new information becomes available.
July 10 2018
Written by Solv Editorial Team
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD
