Sometimes it’s hard to know which kind of care you need: urgent care, primary care, or the emergency department at a hospital. For minor illnesses and injuries, Urgent Care wait times are usually shorter than at an emergency department, and unlike visiting your family doctor, you don’t need an appointment. Serious illnesses or injuries should be treated at the emergency department.
Use this handy chart to help determine the best type of care for your medical condition.
Urgent |
Primary |
Emergency |
|
Colds and flu |
• |
• |
|
Coughs and sore throats |
• |
• |
|
Earaches |
• |
• |
|
Bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infections |
• |
• |
|
Asthma* |
• |
• |
|
Allergies |
• |
• |
|
Minor broken bones |
• |
|
|
Sprains and strains |
• |
• |
|
Cuts and scrapes |
• |
• |
|
Infections, such as pink eye and urinary tract infections |
• |
• |
|
Skin conditions, such as rashes and irritations |
• |
• |
|
Vomiting* |
• |
• |
|
Diarrhea* |
• |
• |
|
Abdominal pain* |
|
• |
• |
Chronic health conditions |
|
• |
|
Chest pain |
|
|
• |
Stroke |
|
|
• |
Heart attack |
|
|
• |
Shortness of breath |
|
|
• |
Severe trauma or injury |
|
|
• |
Severe headache |
|
|
• |
Urgent |
Primary |
Emergency |
|
• |
• |
|
|
|
• |
|
|
• |
• |
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• |
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