When presented with certain symptoms when a doctor is unavailable – such as late at night or on the weekends – you may wonder how serious they really are. Is it worth the trip to M.D. Express Urgent Care or should you just stay home? Here we discuss a few of the most common symptoms and if or when they warrant a trip to one of our locations.
Headache
In most cases, a headache does not warrant a trip to urgent care. These may occur from anything from sinuses to loud noises or holding your neck in the wrong position. If, however, the headache is described as a “thunderclap” or “the worst headache of your life” you should seek professional medical assistance immediately.
If your primary care physician’s office is closed and your headache has lasted longer than 24 hours without probable cause, you should seek an urgent care. Also, if your headache is accompanied by fainting, vision difficulties, numbness, paralysis, or weakness.
Vomiting or Diarrhea
Minor vomiting or diarrhea can be addressed at home. If there is blood present in either, or if symptoms of severe dehydration are present, you should go to the ER.
If you have been experiencing stomach upset consistently for longer than 24 hours in the absence of emergency symptoms, you can get checked out at the local M.D. Express Urgent Care. We will be able to diagnose your issues, whether it could potentially be the stomach flu, food poisoning or something requiring more significant care.
Fever
Any fever over 100.1 degrees in infants under 3 months old needs to be addressed immediately at a hospital – NOT an Urgent Care clinic. A fever over 102 in people over three months which has lasted 24 hours can be addressed by urgent care or your primary physician. If you experience fainting, confusion, stiff neck, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, you should go to the emergency room immediately.
Coughing or Sneezing
People cough and sneeze for a multitude of reasons, most of which are benign. If you are coughing blood, cannot stop coughing long enough to breathe, or make a “whoop” noise you should be seen at the hospital. If your coughing or sneezing is mild to moderate and accompanied with a fever, you can be seen at your local urgent care.
If you’re not sure when to seek care, it is always better to be cautious. Our urgent care centers are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year and no appointment is necessary. At M.D. Express Urgent Care, The Doctor Is Always In!
