Reasons to Seek Urgent Care Visit in Alexandria, VA
If you need non-emergency medical assistance, the team at PACS Urgent Care would be happy to support you. We offer walk-in visits, online check-ins, and extended hours to provide you the care when and where you need it. For more information about our urgent care services, connect with us at your earliest convenience or use our online check-in. We have convenient locations in Alexandria, VA, and Ruther Glen VA.
Table of Contents:
What are the most common reasons people go to urgent care?
What are some urgent health issues?
What conditions do urgent health care centers treat?
Where should I go for minor illnesses?
When you come down with an illness or get into an unexpected accident, it can be hard to know where your first point of medical contact should be.
If what you’re experiencing is non-life-threatening but still requires immediate care, and your primary care physician isn’t available, then urgent care is often the best spot for you. These medical facilities provide high-level care for mild-moderate medical issues in a safe, professional, efficient, and affordable manner.
There are many reasons why urgent care is the preferred choice for those seeking medical care. These facilities provide safe, affordable, and efficient services such as wellness checks, sick visits, school and work physicals, medical screenings, STI checks, and immunizations.
Some of the most prevalent conditions that patients seek urgent care for are:
● Allergic reactions
● Back pain
● Broken bones
● Cold and flu
● Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
● Dehydration
● Dental abscesses
● Diarrhea
● Ear infection
● Fever
● Fractures
● Insect bites
● Kidney stones
● Migraine
● Minor burns
● Minor lacerations
● Nausea
● Pelvic pain
● Pneumonia
● Rash
● Sinusitis
● Sore throat
● Sprains/Strains
● STI’s
● Upper Respiratory Infection
● UTI’s
● Vomiting
● Warts
It should be kept at the forefront that urgent care centers only provide non-emergency medical care. If a higher degree of care is needed, your attending doctor will transfer you to the emergency room (ER) or will provide you with a referral to a specialist.
Urgent health issues are defined as those conditions that require immediate medical care. They may be life-threatening or non-life threatening in nature – but either way, they require professional medical treatment to be remedied.
Urgent health issues include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Acute or chronic pain
● Allergic reactions
● Asthma attacks
● Broken bones
● Burns
● Chest infections
● Cold and flu symptoms
● Cuts and lacerations
● Diarrhea
● Dizziness and/or vertigo
● Ear infections
● Fever
● Fractures
● Headaches
● Heart conditions
● Heat exhaustion
● Heat stroke
● Insect or animal bites
● Migraines
● Muscle aches or strains
● Nasal infections
● Pink eye
● Sports injuries
● Sprains and dislocations
● STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
● Urinary issues (such as UTIs)
● Vomiting
In some cases, urgent health issues will require more intense care than what can be provided at urgent care. If it’s determined that you need more specialized care, your attending urgent care physician will refer you to an ER or specialist, depending on what you need.
Urgent care facilities treat both acute and chronic conditions, in addition to providing preventative healthcare services.
Conditions that are routinely treated at urgent health centers are:
● Allergic reactions
● Back pain
● Broken bones
● Cold and flu
● Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
● Dehydration
● Dental abscesses
● Diarrhea
● Ear infection
● Fever
● Fractures
● Insect bites
● Kidney stones
● Migraine
● Minor burns
● Minor lacerations
● Nausea
● Pelvic pain
● Pneumonia
● Rash
● Sinusitis
● Sore throat
● Sprains/Strains
● STI’s
● Upper Respiratory Infection
● UTI’s
● Vomiting
● Warts
A “minor illness” refers to common and/or uncomplicated conditions that will resolve (1) on their own with home care and/or time or (2) with minimal medical intervention. Medical intervention may include visiting the pharmacy for over-the-counter medications, seeing a certified doctor and/or specialist, taking prescription medication or prescribed therapies, and/or participating in at-home self-care strategies.
If you’re experiencing a medical condition that requires prompt medical care but isn’t life-threatening, and your primary care physician is not available, visiting your local urgent care is often the best option. These medical facilities typically offer same-day visits, have extended hours (usually including weekends), and offer an affordable rate of care.
If you would like more information about our urgent care services or need to be seen by one of our medical professionals, contact us at PACS Urgent Care or walk in for a same-day appointment. We have convenient locations in Ruther Glen and Alexandria, VA. We serve patients from Alexandria VA, Huntington VA, Arlington VA, Ruther Glen VA, Bagdad VA, Athens VA, Doswell VA, and surrounding areas.