Urgent care medicine is a newer branch of the healthcare industry and not everyone is exactly sure what services are offered. Urgent care centers can treat nearly any injury or illness that isn’t life threatening, but that’s still pretty vague. The services that are most commonly used at an urgent care center will give you a better understanding of what exactly they offer, so let’s dig a little deeper!
Illness Treatment
A wide variety of illnesses can be treated at an urgent care center. The common cold, influenza, and bronchitis are some of the most commonly treated illness this time of year. Urgent care centers evaluate your illness and then provide medication and other treatment as needed to either cure the illness or manage your symptoms while your body fights it off on its own. Ear infections, UTI’s, sinus infections, and strep throat are seen frequently at urgent care centers in both children and adults.
Injury Treatment and X-rays
Mild to moderate injuries that are not life threatening, but require immediate care, can be treated at an urgent care center. This includes things like sprains, strains, fractures, and cuts that require stitches. X-ray services are available on-site to diagnose fractures and develop a treatment plan. If your injury needs further treatment from a specialist, the urgent care center can provide a referral to speed up the process. Urgent care centers can even offer treatment for mild concussions and other sports related injuries, as long as the patient is not unconscious.
Covid-19 Services
Getting a covid-19 diagnostic test at urgent care is the quickest and easiest place to get tested. Antibody testing is also available, which can tell you if you were previously exposed to covid-19, even if you never had symptoms. Once a vaccine becomes available to the public, urgent care centers will likely be able to distribute it in the same way that they can the flu vaccine.
Rather you’re suffering from an illness, need covid-19 testing, or need an x-ray, an urgent care center is the place to go! Some chronic conditions, like allergies and asthma, can be treated by an urgent care physician too. During your visit, ask for a flu shot if you haven’t had one already. Call or go online to schedule an appointment with your local urgent care center today! For minor illnesses and medical questions, virtual appointments may be available.
