Experiencing sudden chest pain or sleepless nights due to an earache can be daunting. It's natural to wonder whether to visit an ER or an urgent care center. Understanding the differences is crucial.
Read more to understand the differences between the ER and an urgent care!
The ER is a facility for immediate and urgent care of acute medical conditions or injuries. The ER is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and fully staffed by specially trained medical professionals.
• Chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Severe headaches
An urgent care center is a medical facility that provides walk-in medical care for patients with non-life-threatening illnesses. Similar to an ER, an urgent care center is staffed by a team of medical professionals.
• Minor injuries
• Common respiratory infections
• Eye infections
• Minor burns
• UTIs/STDs
• Mild allergic reactions
• Minor skin conditions
• Minor asthma attacks
Go to the ER for more severe and urgent medical conditions. Go to an urgent care if you are experiencing minor medical conditions. Both will have medical professionals to help aid your care based on their services.