Short answer
Urgent care treats illnesses and injuries that need care today but are not life-threatening: colds, flu, strep throat, sinus and ear infections, UTIs, rashes, sprains, minor fractures and cuts. Most centers also offer X-ray, lab tests, physicals and vaccines; services vary, so call ahead.
Common conditions
The Urgent Care Association lists these as frequently treated at urgent care:
- Minor injuries: sprains, strains, minor fractures, cuts and abrasions
- Upper respiratory infections: COVID, flu, the common cold, sinus infections, strep throat
- Urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infection testing
- Minor infections of the ear, skin and eye (pink eye)
- Allergic reactions that are not severe, and seasonal allergies
- Mild pneumonia, bronchitis and dehydration
Tests and services
- X-ray: most centers have it on site; see does urgent care do X-rays
- Lab tests and blood work; see blood work at urgent care
- EKG: required, with X-ray and lab, for the Urgent Care Association's Certified Urgent Care program
- Stitches and wound care; see does urgent care do stitches
- IV fluids at some centers; see IV fluids at urgent care
- Vaccines, including flu shots and tetanus boosters
- Tuberculosis tests and drug screens
Physicals and work health
Many urgent care centers do school, sports and work physicals, pre-employment drug screens and post-injury testing, according to the Urgent Care Association. Commercial drivers need a DOT physical from a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners; not every urgent care clinician is listed, so ask when you call.
Prescriptions and antibiotics
Urgent care clinicians can prescribe medicines, and where state law allows, many centers dispense common prepackaged medicines on site, UCA says. Antibiotics are prescribed only for bacterial infections: the CDC notes antibiotics do not work on viruses, including colds, flu and most sore throats other than strep.
Care for children and work injuries
Many urgent care centers treat children as well as adults, and the Urgent Care Association reports that 8 percent of centers offer pediatric urgent care only; see pediatric urgent care. Age limits vary, so call first for an infant.
For an injury at work, many centers treat workplace injuries and do post-injury testing, UCA says. Tell the front desk it is a work injury so the visit can be billed to your employer's workers' compensation insurer where that applies.
What urgent care does not treat
Urgent care centers do not care for life- or limb-threatening problems. Call 911 or go to the ER for any of these warning signs from the American College of Emergency Physicians:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two minutes or more
- Fainting, sudden dizziness or weakness
- Changes in vision or difficulty speaking
- Confusion, unusual behavior or difficulty waking
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Sudden or severe pain
Urgent care is also not a replacement for ongoing care of chronic conditions by a primary care doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What services does urgent care provide?
Treatment for minor illness and injury, plus, at most centers, X-ray, lab tests, EKG, stitches, vaccines, physicals and drug screens. Services vary, so call ahead.
Can urgent care do an EKG?
Most can. EKG is one of the capabilities the Urgent Care Association requires for certification. Chest pain is an emergency, though: call 911.
Does urgent care do physicals?
Many do, including school, sports and work physicals. DOT physicals must be done by a medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry.
Can urgent care prescribe antibiotics?
Yes, when a bacterial infection such as strep throat or a UTI is diagnosed. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as colds or flu, according to the CDC.
Does urgent care give tetanus shots?
Many do. The CDC recommends a booster after a clean, minor wound if your last dose was 10 or more years ago, or 5 or more years for a dirty or major wound.
Find urgent care near me
Search by city or state to see urgent care centers and walk-in clinics, with hours where they are on file. Services differ from clinic to clinic, so call to confirm before you go.
Related guides
Sources
- Urgent Care Association (2023): 2023 Urgent Care Industry White Paper
- FMCSA: National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
- CDC: Antibiotic Use: About
- CDC: Clinical Guidance for Tetanus
- American College of Emergency Physicians: Is It an Emergency? Medical Emergencies: What You Need to Know
General information, not medical advice. Costs are typical figures from the sources above and vary by clinic, plan and location. In an emergency, call 911.