The Urgent Care Association of America estimates that three million people visit urgent care centers every week. Since 85% of these facilities are open every day, and many have extended hours, they are a convenient option when medical care is needed. Another benefit of choosing urgent care, is that patients are able to walk into a clinic without making a prior appointment. Furthermore, the time it takes to be seen by a staff physician or a physician’s assistant is usually 15 minutes or less.

What Symptoms Does Urgent Care Treat?

When someone is unfamiliar with these types of medical clinics, they may ask the question, “What symptoms does urgent care treat?” It’s important to note that in addition to treating cold and flu symptoms, a walk in urgent care center can also identify and treat poison ivy and other allergies. When someone has urinary tract infection symptoms, these can also be evaluated at an urgent care center.

Colds, flus, and upper-respiratory conditions are prevalent within the United States. On an annual basis, Americans will come down with a billion colds. An average of five percent to 20% of Americans will become sick with the flu every year as well. Given the current flu epidemic, it’s important to visit a medical professional when the first signs of the flu are noted. While some of these signs may initially be attributed to the common cold, there’s a possibility that it is the flu.

There are only two states without poison ivy: Alaska and Hawaii. Given this, it is not unusual to encounter this plant throughout the United States, particularly within wooded areas. Recent figures indicate that 85% or more individuals are allergic to poison ivy. This allergy tends to manifest as a rash along with other symptoms.

Urinary tract infections are also common. In order to evaluate and treat these infections, people within the United States make approximately 8.1 million doctor visits every year. Urinary tract and other types of infections can also be treated at an urgent care facility.

What Other Types of Medical Issues Can Urgent Care Treat?

There are quite a few medical issues and conditions that can be evaluated and treated at an urgent care clinic. Sprained ankles, bone fractures, and other minor injuries are just a few. These facilities can also treat wounds that require stitches, headaches, and other types of pain.

Learn More About Urgent Care

Given that there are a variety of urgent-care locations, more information can be obtained by visiting a facility near you. At that time, you can ask, “What symptoms does urgent care treat?” along with other important questions. When you are experiencing a medical issue that isn’t life-threatening, an urgent care clinic can provide you with a convenient alternative to a traditional hospital emergency room visit. Given this, it’s not surprising that urgent care is an expanding field of medicine.