Key points

Urgent care facilities treat non-life threatening injuries and illnesses.
Common injuries treated at urgent care include fractures, sprains, cuts, burns, and injuries from falls or car accidents.
Illnesses frequently treated at urgent care include urinary tract infections, allergies, bronchitis, common cold, flu, and strep throat.
Symptoms like swollen glands, rashes, coughing, minor abdominal pain, and unexplained pain or swelling can also be addressed at urgent care.
Urgent care facilities are not suitable for severe or life-threatening conditions, and in such cases, an emergency room is a more appropriate choice. They are, however, a good alternative when primary care physicians are unavailable, such as after hours.

What are the Most Common Urgent Care Conditions?

Injuries Treated at Urgent Care

Many people who come into urgent care facilities come because they have an injury or have recently experienced trauma. Generally the injury and trauma that causes someone to come into urgent care is not chronic. Instead, common injuries include:

Fractures
Whiplash
Sprains or strain of the ankle, knee, or shoulder
Cuts and lacerations
Burns
Injury from falls
Injury from car accidents

Illnesses Treated at Urgent Care

In addition to injuries, many people come to urgent care facilities to be treated for illnesses. These illnesses are not life-threatening. Usually they can be treated with antibiotics or other medications. Some of the most common illnesses that are treated in an urgent care facility include:

Other Symptoms

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:

Swollen glands
Rash and itching
Coughing (and dry cough), sneezing and wheezing
Sore throat
Minor abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Headaches
Other unexplained pain or swelling

When to go to Urgent Care

It's important to understand when you should go to an urgent care center. These facilities are not appropriate for life threatening illnesses or injuries. If, for example, you have a cut that is extremely deep and will not stop bleeding, an emergency room may be a better option than the urgent care. It's also good to note that even if your injury or illness is on the list of most commonly treated items, if it severe enough you may be transported to a local emergency room. Urgent care facilities are a good option if you are unable to get to a primary care physician, due to it being after hours.

FAQs

What types of conditions are treated at urgent care facilities?

Urgent care facilities treat a variety of non-life threatening injuries and illnesses, such as fractures, sprains, burns, urinary tract infections, allergies, and the common cold.

Can I go to an urgent care facility if I don't know what's wrong?

Yes, if you're experiencing symptoms like swollen glands, rashes, coughing, minor abdominal pain, or unexplained pain or swelling, an urgent care facility can help diagnose and treat you.

Are there any injuries or illnesses that urgent care facilities can't treat?

Yes, urgent care facilities are not equipped to handle life-threatening conditions. For severe injuries or illnesses, you should go to an emergency room.

Can I go to an urgent care facility for treatment after hours?

Yes, urgent care facilities are a good option if you need medical attention outside of normal office hours and your condition is not life-threatening.

What if my condition is severe but on the list of conditions treated at urgent care?

If your condition is severe, even if it's typically treated at urgent care, you may be transported to an emergency room for appropriate care.

What should I do if I don't know what's wrong but I'm experiencing symptoms?

If you're experiencing symptoms like swollen glands, rash and itching, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, sore throat, minor abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, or other unexplained pain or swelling, it's a good idea to visit an urgent care facility.

Are urgent care facilities a good option if I can't get to my primary care physician?

Yes, urgent care facilities are a good option if you are unable to see your primary care physician, especially if it's after hours.

What happens if my injury or illness is more severe than what an urgent care facility can handle?

If your injury or illness is more severe than what an urgent care facility can handle, even if it's on the list of commonly treated items, you may be transported to a local emergency room.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD

Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD, is a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine physician and urgent care executive. He earned his MD from Jefferson Medical College, currently serves on multiple boards and is Solv’s Chief Medical Officer.

How we reviewed this article

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