When to Choose Urgent Care Over the Emergency Room

If you have ever wondered whether you should go to an urgent care center or head straight to a hospital emergency room, you are not alone. To help you make the right call right away, the experienced medical team at South Tampa Immediate Care offers the following general guidance:

When to Rely on Home Remedies

If you have mild symptoms, such as a low-grade fever, cough, sore throat, or general aches and pains, you probably have the common cold, flu, or another viral infection. The best way to ease your discomfort is to take good care of yourself as your infection resolves and your body heals. Here’s how:

  • Rest comfortably at home for a few days and try to get at least eight hours of sleep per night.
  • If you have a strenuous exercise routine, such as taking a daily run, now is the time to give yourself a short break.
  • Drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids and stay well hydrated.
  • Use a thermometer to monitor your body temperature and seek medical attention if your fever exceeds 103°F or lasts longer than three to five days.
  • If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, decongestant, sore throat remedy, or cough suppressant.

When to Visit an Urgent Care Center

Unless you have a life-threatening illness or injury, bypassing the ER and visiting an urgent care center will most likely be a better use of your time and resources. In non-emergency situations, you can receive the same caliber of care with a shorter wait and at a lower cost. For instance, South Tampa Immediate Care is open every day during extended hours, and we see patients on a walk-in basis—no appointment is necessary. And because our modern facility is equipped with a clinical lab and digital X-ray technology, we can often expedite the diagnostic process and help you feel better faster. If a provider at South Tampa Immediate Care determines that you need emergency medical care, you can rest assured that we will refer you to a nearby ER right away, making the entire process as easy as possible for you.

When to Head to an Emergency Room

If you have a life-threatening illness or injury, you should immediately call 911 or go directly to the nearest ER. Some examples include:

  • Excruciating pain
  • Sudden numbness or weakness
  • Uncontrollable bleeding
  • A severe burn or lightning strike
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting or seizures
  • A head or spine injury
  • A high fever that won’t break
  • A broken bone that has pierced the skin

Even if you have a hospital of choice, symptoms like these warrant a trip to the closest emergency location for immediate treatment. With its hospital connection for seamless admittance and advanced technology, an ER is the best—and only—place to go in the event of a true medical emergency.

On the other hand, if you have a non-life-threatening illness or injury, you are welcome to visit South Tampa Immediate Care at 602 S. Howard Ave. in Tampa, FL, where you can receive prompt medical attention from a Board-certified or Board-eligible doctor.