If you or a loved one is having a medical issue, before you rush to the ER, take a deep breath. Depending on the symptoms or condition, a primary care office or urgent care might be more beneficial to your overall health than going to an emergency room.

To assist you in making an informed decision, we’ve put together the following list of some common conditions, and where you should go if you’re experiencing them:

Emergency Room

• Chest Pain
• Ingestion of Poison
• Seizures
• Snake Bites
• Difficulty Breathing
• Compound Fractures (bone visible)
• Major Head Injuries
• Shock
• Uncontrollable Bleeding
• Signs of a Stroke

Primary Care Physician or Urgent Care Center

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Back Pain
• Bronchitis
• Cold/Flu/Fever
• Cough
• Headaches
• Infections
• Nausea
• Rash
• Sore Throat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pink Eye
• Ear Infection