When to See Your Family Doctor, Urgent Care or the ER

Three places to get care

• Your primary care office. Your family doctor or nurse practitioner knows your history, medications and past test results. This is the best place for most common illnesses, minor injuries and follow-up care.
• An urgent care center. Urgent care treats problems that need attention soon but are not life-threatening, often when your regular office is closed.
• The emergency room (ER). The ER is for serious or life-threatening problems. It has the staff and equipment for emergencies at any hour.

Problems your family doctor can treat

A sick visit with your primary care provider is a good fit for many short-term illnesses and minor injuries, including:

• Cold and flu symptoms, including cough, congestion and fever in older children and adults
• Sore throat and ear pain
• Sinus pain and pressure
• Burning or pain when urinating, which can be a sign of a urinary tract infection
• Mild rashes and skin infections
• Minor cuts, burns, sprains and strains
• Skin abscesses that may need to be drained
• Stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea without signs of dehydration

At Woodlands Primary Healthcare, in-office tests for strep throat, flu, COVID-19 and urinalysis can help your provider find the cause during your visit. Some minor injuries and skin problems can be treated with an in-office procedure, such as laceration repair or abscess drainage.

Warning signs that need emergency care

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Signs of a stroke, such as face drooping, arm or leg weakness, or trouble speaking
• Sudden, severe headache or confusion
• Fainting or seizures
• Severe bleeding that does not stop with pressure
• Severe pain, such as sudden severe belly pain
• Major injuries, such as a possible broken bone that is out of place or a serious head injury
• Thoughts of harming yourself or others

A fever in a baby younger than 3 months needs prompt medical attention. Call your provider right away or go to the emergency room.

If you are not sure whether a problem is an emergency, call 911. Do not drive yourself if you have chest pain, trouble breathing or stroke symptoms.

When urgent care fits

Urgent care can help when a problem needs attention before your regular office opens again, and it is not an emergency. After an urgent care visit, let your primary care provider know so your records stay complete and any follow-up can be planned.

Telemedicine for minor illness

Some minor illnesses can be handled without coming to the office. Our telemedicine service can be used for minor illnesses, follow-up visits and prescription refills. Your provider will tell you if your symptoms need an in-person exam or testing.

Why your own provider helps

Seeing a provider who already knows you has practical benefits:

1. Your provider can check new symptoms against your past history and test results.
2. Your current medications and allergies are already on file, which lowers the risk of drug interactions.
3. Repeat tests may be avoided because past results are available.
4. Follow-up is simpler, since the same office tracks your recovery.

This matters most for people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, where a short-term illness can affect the main condition. See chronic disease management for more about ongoing care.

What to have ready for a sick visit

• When your symptoms started and how they have changed
• Your temperature readings, if you have taken them
• Any medicines you have taken for the symptoms, including over-the-counter products
• Your medication and allergy list
• The name and location of your preferred pharmacy
• Your photo ID and insurance card

When to call back

After a sick visit, call our office if your symptoms get worse, new symptoms appear or you are not improving as your provider expected. If emergency warning signs develop, call 911.

Sick visits at Woodlands Primary Healthcare

Both our clinics see patients for sick visits: 25511 Budde Rd, Suite 3901, in The Woodlands and 2715 N Mason Rd in Katy. Walk-ins are accepted for urgent care needs. To schedule, use the Book Appointment button at the top of this page or call (281) 466-4644. Our staff speaks English and Spanish. For accepted plans, see our insurance page.