Where to Go When You’re Sick or Injured

Injury and illness can happen suddenly. When symptoms seem severe, do you know where to seek treatment? The answer isn’t always simple, but knowing when to visit Primary Care, Urgent Care, and the emergency department could potentially save your life during a medical emergency.

When to Visit Primary Care

Visit Primary Care if you have symptoms of a regular illness or need a routine check-up:

• General medical advice
• Annual wellness exams
• Immunizations
• Managing chronic conditions
• Diabetes
• Treatment of non-serious illnesses like colds, coughs, sore throat, flu, ear infections, minor aches and pains, and allergies

When to Visit Urgent Care

Knowing the difference between the terms ‘urgent’ and ‘emergency’ can be confusing because both imply there is a medical need to be addressed immediately. Generally, visit Urgent Care when you would normally see your primary care provider but are unable to. Urgent Care is not a replacement for your primary care provider but it is great for when you have a medical issue and they’re not available.

Urgent Care, with locations in Frederick and Urbana, should be used for non-life-threatening medical conditions. Our staff provides prompt, professional care with no appointment or referral required. Urgent Care locations treat a variety of common non-emergency medical conditions:

• COVID-19 symptoms
• Cold or flu
• Sinus infection
• Hay fever or allergies
• Diaper rash
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Eczema
• Heartburn
• Headache
• Accidents and falls
• Stitches and x-rays
• Mild to moderate back pain
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Skin rashes or infections
• Minor broken bones or fractures
• Fever
• Pink eye
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Mild to moderate asthma or other breathing problems
• Cuts that require stitches but are not bleeding severely
• Lab tests and other diagnostic studies
• Sore throat or persistent cough
• Flu shots

When in-person care is not needed, you can get treatment without ever having to leave your home. With a virtual visit, you can be treated by a medical provider online. Virtual visits limit your exposure to others and help eliminate unnecessary trips to Urgent Care.

When to Visit the Emergency Department

A number of life-threatening medical emergencies require rapid or advanced treatments only available in a hospital setting. Frederick Health Hospital’s emergency department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our staff of medical professionals, including emergency care technicians, quickly provide thorough and specialized treatment for all patients. Visiting the emergency department is vital when you have these symptoms or conditions:

• Chest pressure or pain
• Upper abdominal pressure or pain
• Suicidal thoughts
• Trouble breathing
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Trouble speaking
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Severe burns, shocks, or falls
• Sudden and serious pain
• Sudden vision changes
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Sudden mental changes or confusion
• Sudden fainting, weakness, or dizziness

If you are unable to drive yourself or a loved one during a medical emergency, call 911 right away. Never drive if you have severe chest pain or severe bleeding, impaired vision, feeling weak or faint, or you believe you’ve had a heart attack or stroke.

If you’re in need of immediate medical care, don’t wait. Frederick Health’s emergency department and Urgent Care centers are here when you need us.