You should go to urgent care for a problem that needs care today but isn’t life-threatening, like a UTI, a sprain, a cut that may need stitches or the flu. Mild colds and scrapes can usually be handled at home. Chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs or bleeding that won’t stop need 911 or the ER.
Key takeaways
Urgent care fits problems that can’t wait for a routine visit but don’t threaten life or limb, like UTIs, sprains and the flu.
Most colds clear up on their own, but get seen for a fever over 4 days or symptoms over 10 days.
A cut still bleeding after 10 minutes of firm pressure needs 911 or the ER.
DoctorsNow’s three Des Moines metro clinics take walk-ins from 8am to 8pm every day.
How do you decide between home care, urgent care and the ER?
Ask one question first: could this threaten your life or cause lasting harm? If yes, call 911 or go to the ER. If no, but it can’t wait for a regular appointment, urgent care fits. If it’s mild and improving, home care is usually enough.
MedlinePlus notes that emergency department care can cost two to three times or more than the same care in a provider’s office.
Dr. Eric Stanek, DoctorsNow’s chief medical officer, described what comes through the clinic doors on WHO 13’s Hello Iowa:
“
We have urgent care clinics at DoctorsNow and we see people come in through the urgent care who have a bad back injury or bacterial infection, pneumonia, sinus infections and stuff like that.
Chief Medical Officer, DoctorsNow
Should I go to urgent care for this? 30 problems, A to Z
Find your problem and read across. Mild symptoms that are improving can usually be handled at home. If you’re torn, pick the more cautious column. Flu and fever warning signs follow CDC guidance.
Problem | Urgent care or virtual visit if | ER or 911 if |
|---|---|---|
Allergic reaction | Hives spread, or a rash follows a new medicine | Lip, tongue or throat swelling, or trouble breathing |
Allergies (seasonal) | Medicine isn’t controlling symptoms | Wheezing or trouble breathing |
Back pain | Severe, after an injury, or not improving | Loss of bladder or bowel control, or after a major fall |
Bladder infection (UTI) | Burning, urgency or peeing often | High fever, side pain and constant vomiting |
Broken bone or dislocation | Possible fracture with pain, swelling or tenderness, without obvious deformity or an open wound | Open fracture, obvious deformity, numbness, or circulation concerns |
Bronchitis | Cough with fever, or getting worse | Trouble breathing or coughing up blood |
Bumps and bruises | Swelling limits use | Head injury with passing out, confusion or repeated vomiting |
Burns | Small blistered or infected-looking burns | Large, deep, electrical or chemical burns |
Chest pain | Skip urgent care | Chest pain or pressure, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw |
Cold | Fever over 4 days, or symptoms over 10 days | Severe trouble breathing |
COVID-19 | You need a test, or you’re at higher risk | Trouble breathing, chest pressure or confusion |
Cuts | Gaping, deeper than a quarter inch, or on the face | Still bleeding after 10 minutes of firm pressure |
Diarrhea | Fever, blood, or you can’t keep up with fluids | Won’t stop, or severe dehydration |
Earache | Pain isn’t easing, or fluid drains from the ear | High fever with a stiff neck |
Fever (adult) | Lasts more than 4 days | High fever with headache and stiff neck |
Fever (baby 3 months or younger) | Skip urgent care | A temperature of 100.4°F or higher, or baby is hard to wake, breathing fast or has bluish lips |
Fever (older child) | Fever with ear pain, sore throat or a rash | Trouble breathing, a seizure, or not alert |
Flu | Higher risk, or you want antivirals (best within 2 days) | Trouble breathing, chest pain or confusion |
Headache | Different from usual, or keeps returning | Sudden and severe, or with weakness or trouble speaking |
Insect stings and bites | Spreading swelling, pus or red streaks | Face or throat swelling, or trouble breathing |
Muscle strain | Limits walking or use | Severe pain that won’t let up |
Nausea and vomiting | You can’t keep fluids down | Won’t stop, or vomiting blood |
Pink eye | Thick discharge, or not improving | Eye pain with vision changes |
Rash | Spreading, blistering or with fever | With trouble breathing, or high fever and a stiff neck |
Sinus infection | Over 10 days, or worse after improving | Severe headache with a stiff neck |
Sore throat | Not improving, or you want a strep test | Trouble breathing, or drooling from trouble swallowing |
Sprain | Swelling, a tender spot on the bone, or trouble bearing weight | A deformed joint or numbness |
Stroke signs | Skip urgent care | Face drooping, one-sided weakness or trouble speaking |
Swollen glands | Still swollen after you’re well | Trouble breathing or swallowing |
Wounds and punctures | A nail or rusty object, something stuck, or no tetanus shot in 10 years | A deeply stuck object or heavy bleeding |
What happens at a DoctorsNow urgent care visit?
Walk in or check in online at our West Des Moines, Johnston or Altoona clinic, open 8am to 8pm every day. No appointment is needed. A provider evaluates your symptoms and tests when appropriate:
Rapid strep, flu, COVID-19, RSV and mono tests, $25 each self-pay
X-rays on site for many injury concerns, $100 per X-ray order self-pay
Many medications dispensed in the clinic for $20
See what urgent care at DoctorsNow covers.
“
We're keeping an eye out for red flag symptoms in the case that people are developing complications like influenza pneumonia. We want to either do what we can to keep people out of the emergency room or appropriately send people to the emergency room if we're concerned for them.
Chief Medical Officer, DoctorsNow
When should you go to the ER instead of urgent care?
If you’re truly unsure, choose the ER. Call 911 or go to the ER if:
You have chest pain or pressure, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw
You have severe trouble breathing, or sudden weakness or drooping on one side
Bleeding won’t stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
A head injury causes passing out, confusion or repeated vomiting
A baby 3 months or younger has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher
DoctorsNow clinics are not emergency rooms. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Need care today? Walk in or check in online at any DoctorsNow clinic in West Des Moines, Johnston or Altoona. Open 8am to 8pm, every day. Check in now
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to urgent care for a UTI?
Yes. A UTI usually needs an exam and often a urine test, and urgent care can do both without an appointment. Fever, chills, side pain or vomiting can mean a kidney infection, so get care quickly. Mild UTIs can also be treated by virtual visit when you’re in Iowa.
Should I go to urgent care for back pain?
Go if the pain is severe, started after an injury or isn’t improving after a few days. A mild strain usually gets better at home within a week. Loss of bladder or bowel control, new leg weakness or numbness, or pain after a major fall calls for the ER.
Is it worth going to urgent care for a cold?
Usually not. Colds are caused by viruses, so antibiotics don’t help. Get seen for trouble breathing, a fever over 4 days, or symptoms that last over 10 days or worsen after improving. If it could be flu or COVID-19, a test helps, because antivirals work best early.
The bottom line
Urgent care fits problems that need attention today but aren’t emergencies, from UTIs and sprains to cuts and the flu. Chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs or heavy bleeding always mean 911 or the ER.
Sources
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. “When to use the emergency room - adult.” https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000593.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Signs and Symptoms of Flu.” https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Urinary Tract Infection Basics.” https://www.cdc.gov/uti/about/index.html
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. “Low back pain - acute.” https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007425.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Manage Common Cold.” https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/treatment/index.html
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. “Cuts and puncture wounds.” https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000043.htm
This article is general health information, not medical advice for your situation. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.
