Despite our best efforts to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, wash our hands and steer clear of germs, we’ve all experienced the inevitable sick day. You know what we mean. You may not be sure of the cause, but you just don’t feel so hot. Runny noses, upset stomachs, skin rashes, cuts and scrapes are just part of the drill when it comes to being human. And while we’d like to just pop an ibuprofen or down some Pepto, it is important to know your tipping point when symptoms are just too severe for us to handle on our own.

Not sure where to go? Enter your friendly neighborhood medical professionals at AFC . In fact, here are five great reasons to stop in to your local urgent care when you’re feeling under the weather!

Crowded ER

No one wants to spend time in the emergency room, and with long wait times, you might think it’s better to just suffer at home. But many people who seek treatment in ERs could just as easily head in to their neighborhood urgent care for their complaints. According to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, ER visits including the following:

• Vomiting/Fever
• Cold symptoms – headache, cough, runny nose
• Flu symptoms
• Ear infection
• Minor injuries
• Minor strains/sprains
• Animal/insect bites
• Sunburn

You may not know it, but all of these issues can be taken care of by your local urgent care. Why wait at the ER?

Reasonable Cost

With a hefty price tag just for walking in the door, ER costs can be staggering. Patients pay an average of more than $1,000 for fairly routine problems like upper respiratory infections, headaches, backaches, urinary tract infections and sprains. For a fraction of that price, these types of medical needs can be addressed by urgent care pros who are not only less expensive but have great credentials to back it up.

Doctor shortage

We bet you’ve heard this one before; “the next available appointment is next week.” According to the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine, meeting the medical needs of a growing population is starting to burden the existing primary health system. This creates busy doctors who don’t have as much time to schedule appointments or spend time with patients. Our centers don’t take appointments, so everyone is on equal footing when they walk in the door, and our doctors often have medical backgrounds that include everything from primary care to surgery, so you’re sure to see a qualified medical professional.

Extended hours

While midnight medical issues are still the ER’s bread and butter, most urgent care centers offer night and weekend hours to meet your medical needs. We keep our AFC centers open until 8 p.m during the week and offer weekend hours, as well, so getting an issue addressed outside of work hours is simple and convenient.

Community Care

AFC centers are part of your community. Our doctors and nurses on staff are local residents who chose to work in their communities, and most clinics are located in high-traffic, accessible retail areas.

What other things do you consider when looking for the right place to find medical care?