Injuries and health concerns can occur out of the blue. But how do you know which kind of visit is right for you? We’ve created the following guide to help you determine which type of visit is best in any situation.

Virtual visits
If you have a cold or the flu, a virtual visit may be right for you. Talking to your doctor on your smartphone or computer means you can stay home and feel better while getting the care you need. More conditions that can be treated via virtual visit include:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Migraine
• Sinus pain
• Stomachaches
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Bug bites
• Nausea
• Minor cuts or rash

In-person appointments
Your doctor is often the first person to reach out to for medical care and advice. Visit your primary care doctor for: 

• Annual wellness visits
• Routine screenings
• Pap smears
• Vaccinations
• Sports physicals
• Unusual bodily changes
• Lingering pain
• Chronic conditions

Your primary care doctor can also help refer you to a specialist when needed. For same-day care during regular office hours, please call your doctor’s office before heading to urgent care. 

Urgent Care
Urgent care is for same-day treatment for medical issues that can’t wait, but aren’t life threatening. Some reasons to visit an urgent care include:

• Eye infections
• Cuts and burns
• Earaches
• UTIs
• STI testing
• Sprains or muscle strains
• Minor sports injuries

Emergency Room
Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening injuries or illness. Head to your nearest emergency room for any medical issues that need immediate attention including: 

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe burns
• Poisoning
• Severe bleeding
• Broken bones
• Seizures
• Fainting or blacking out
• Chest pains or pressure