Deciding where to go for care can be stressful, especially when you are not feeling well. This educational guide is designed to help you understand the general differences between emergency situations, urgent care needs, same-day concerns, and routine care. It is organized by urgency level from most urgent to least urgent.
Use the selector below to view guidance for a specific urgency level, or scroll through all levels.
Emergency: Call 911
Response time: Immediately. These are life-threatening situations that require immediate emergency medical services. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not attempt to drive yourself if you are alone and experiencing severe symptoms.
Examples of Emergency Situations:
- Chest pain or tightness — Could indicate a heart attack. Call 911 immediately even if pain comes and goes.
- Stroke symptoms (BE FAST) — Balance loss, Eyes (vision changes), Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911.
- Severe difficulty breathing — Unable to catch breath, lips turning blue, gasping for air.
- Severe bleeding that will not stop — Deep cuts, arterial bleeding, major trauma.
- Loss of consciousness — Fainting with no immediate recovery, unresponsiveness.
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — Throat swelling, difficulty breathing, hives with distress. Use epinephrine (EpiPen) if available and call 911.
- Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or first-time seizure.
- Suicidal or homicidal crisis — Call 911 and/or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Poisoning or overdose — Call 911 and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222).
Emergency Room: Go Now
Response time: Within 1-2 hours. These situations are serious and may be life-threatening but you or someone can safely transport to the nearest emergency room. If uncertain whether a situation is life-threatening, call 911.
Examples of ER-Level Situations:
- Broken bones with visible deformity — Suspected fractures with swelling, bruising, inability to bear weight.
- Deep wounds or lacerations — Cuts that may need stitches, especially on the face, hands, or over joints.
- High fever with stiff neck, confusion, or rash — Could indicate meningitis or sepsis.
- Severe abdominal pain — Especially sudden onset, with fever, vomiting blood, or rigid abdomen.
- Head injury with confusion, repeated vomiting, or loss of consciousness
- Sudden severe headache — "Worst headache of my life" could indicate a brain bleed.
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Severe burns — Burns larger than your palm, on the face/hands/feet/joints, or full-thickness (white/charred).
Urgent Care: Same-Day Visit
Response time: Today, during clinic hours. These situations need medical attention today but are not life-threatening. Visit an urgent care clinic or call your provider's office to request a same-day appointment. If your symptoms worsen, go to the ER or call 911.
Examples of Urgent Care Situations:
- Fever above 101°F in adults (or 100.4°F in infants under 3 months — this may warrant ER)
- Minor sprains, strains, or joint injuries — Ankle twists, minor knee injuries, muscle pulls.
- Ear infections, sore throat, sinus infections — Moderate pain, difficulty swallowing, persistent symptoms.
- Urinary tract infection symptoms — Burning, frequency, urgency, lower abdominal discomfort.
- Minor cuts needing stitches — Small lacerations that are not actively bleeding heavily.
- Mild allergic reactions — Localized hives or rash without breathing difficulty.
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea — Especially with signs of dehydration.
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis) — Eye redness, discharge, itching.
- Minor animal or insect bites — Without signs of severe allergic reaction.
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Routine Care: Schedule an Appointment
Response time: Within days to weeks. These are non-urgent health concerns that can be addressed during a scheduled appointment with your primary care provider. Making regular appointments for preventive care and minor concerns helps you build a relationship with your provider and catch potential issues early.
Examples of Routine Care Situations:
- Annual physical exams and wellness visits
- Prescription refills and medication reviews
- Mild or persistent cold symptoms lasting more than 10 days
- Skin concerns — New moles, persistent rashes, acne
- Chronic condition follow-up — Diabetes check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, asthma management
- Mental health concerns — Persistent sadness, anxiety, difficulty sleeping (not crisis-level)
- Joint stiffness or mild chronic pain
- Preventive screenings — Mammograms, colonoscopies, cholesterol checks
- Immunizations and boosters
- Referrals to specialists
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