No one likes to feel under the weather, and with the holidays, comes cold and flu season , among other holiday and winter activity related injuries. As urgent care services continue to evolve and play a stronger, more defining role in the American healthcare industry, it can be difficult to determine when it is best to visit your local urgent care center, as opposed to a hospital emergency room or your primary care physician.

Keep in mind that urgent medical care is designed to evaluate and treat acutely occurring medical conditions and illnesses that aren’t severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital emergency room, yet still require some form of medical attention or treatment.

Examples include urinary tract infections, severe respiratory infections which result in difficulty breathing, allergic reactions, sprains and strains, stomach viruses, and even cuts or gashes that require stitching. While all of these conditions can be treated at a hospital emergency room, you’ll likely have to wait hours to be seen and be stuck with a high bill. On the other hand, your local urgent care care center can provide quality, affordable healthcare at times that are convenient for you.

Primary care physicians specialize in the treatment of chronic conditions, such are arthritis, dermatitis, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol and more. While they may be able to treat acutely arising conditions, they are more focused on long term solutions that will improve your overall health. Good refereneces.