In the past, if you were sick or injured, you either went to see your general practitioner or you went to the hospital. But now people have another option: urgent care centers. Urgent care centers are a middle ground between a doctor’s appointment and a hospital visit. When should you visit an urgent care clinic, though? Read on for more information on when to visit an urgent care center.

Sports Physicals

Back to school is a busy time of year. There are school camps, parent-teacher conferences, and new friends to make. There are also new sports to join and old sports to enjoy. But before football or basketball season begins, children and teenagers need a physical. This can only be done by a medical professional and an urgent care clinic can take care of it quickly, many times without an appointment.

Cold And Flu Season

A common reason people visit urgent care centers is because of the cold and flu season. Whether it’s itchy, watery eyes or a runny nose, a doctor can see you quickly at an urgent care center. They will be able to test you for the flu and prescribe medications for a cold. If you have strep throat, they can differentiate that quickly from a cold or the flu.

Sprains And Strains

Sprains and strains are something you should definitely see a doctor for, but they usually happen at pretty inconvenient times. If you have pain in your leg or a sharp sensation in your arm, go to an urgent care clinic and have a doctor take a look at your injury. They will be able to prescribe any medications necessary, as well as give you advice on how to take care of your sprain or strain.

X-Rays

If you have a pain that seems to elude self-diagnosis, you may need to see a doctor for an X-ray. An X-ray can let the doctors know what kind of additional care you may need, as well as whether you need to visit the hospital or another medical facility.

Urinary Tract Infections

A bladder or kidney infection is a serious medical condition, and they often start with a urinary tract infection. If you feel any pain when you urinate, you should visit an urgent care facility to have your urine tested for bacteria. This is one of the most common reasons people visit urgent care centers.

When something more serious occurs, you should definitely visit the emergency room. But most people know when to visit an urgent care center. In fact, 97% of people who use urgent care centers are right where they need to be, and only 3% of people should have been in the emergency room. So when one of the ailments above strikes you, try an urgent care center and see a doctor quickly.