Urgent Care or ER – Where Should I Go?
When someone is sick or hurt, people often wonder whether an urgent care can treat them or if they should head straight to the ER.
Certain symptoms are bound to arise and accidents happen. Keep reading for tips to help you make the best decision on whether to go to the emergency room or a Mercy urgent care clinic for your specific situation.
When should I go to urgent care?
Visit your nearest MercyCare Urgent Care clinic when your health issue needs immediate attention, but isn’t life-threatening.
Urgent care is a great option for minor accidents or sudden illnesses, or if your primary care provider is closed or unable to fit you in today.
Plus, urgent care visits cost less than ER visits. Check estimated wait times or select an eArrival time.
Do NOT go to urgent care if you’re experiencing chest pain or stroke symptoms. Save precious time and head directly to the Mercy emergency room.
When should I go to the ER?
Go to Mercy’s ER if your health issue requires immediate attention or is life- or limb-threatening if not treated right away.
When in doubt, start at the emergency room. Mercy has three locations that are always open with state-of-the-art technology to handle serious health emergencies. Check out Mercy emergency room wait times.
Always call 9-1-1 for immediate help.
Visit Urgent Care for:
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Go directly to the ER for:
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Migraine headache
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Sudden, severe headache
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Severe sore throat
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A severe allergic reaction
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Vomiting
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Uncontrolled, repeated vomiting
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Simple cut
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A deep cut
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Fever without a rash
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A newborn with a fever
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Minor burn
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A serious burn
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Ear, eye or skin infection
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Head or eye injuries or loss of vision
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Respiratory infection
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Persistent shortness of breath or wheezing
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Muscle sprain or strain
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Seizure without previous diagnosis of epilepsy
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Painful urination
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Sudden testicular pain or swelling
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Persistent diarrhea
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Severe pain in your abdomen
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Cold, cough or the flu
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Weakness, paralysis or numbness
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Bone fracture
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Uncontrolled bleeding
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STD testing
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Poisoning or suspected overdose
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A loss of balance or fainting
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Difficulty speaking
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Severe heart palpitations
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Heart attack symptoms:
(chest pain; shortness of breath; pain/discomfort in arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; nausea; dizziness; cold sweats; unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue, or weakness)
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Stroke symptoms:
(sudden numbness or weakness of the arm, leg or face; sudden confusion or trouble understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; sudden severe headache with no known cause; face drooping; speech difficulty)
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