Urgent Care vs the Emergency Room During Flu Season: Where Should You Go?

During flu season in South Texas, emergency rooms often become overcrowded. Many patients are unsure whether their symptoms require an ER visit or can be safely treated at urgent care.

Knowing where to go can save time, reduce costs, and ensure you receive appropriate care.

What Urgent Care Can Treat During Flu Season

Urgent care clinics are well equipped to evaluate and treat most flu-related illnesses. Common reasons to visit urgent care include:

• Fever, chills, and body aches

• Cough or sore throat

• Mild to moderate shortness of breath

• Dehydration or nausea

• Flu-like symptoms that are not improving

Urgent care providers can perform diagnostic testing, assess symptom severity, and recommend appropriate treatment.

When the Emergency Room Is Necessary

The emergency room is the right choice for severe or life-threatening symptoms, including:

• Difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath

• Chest pain or pressure

• Confusion or altered mental status

• Bluish lips or face

• Severe weakness or inability to stay awake

If symptoms feel serious or rapidly worsening, emergency care should not be delayed.

Cost and Wait Time Differences

One of the biggest differences between urgent care and the emergency room is cost and wait time. ER visits are typically more expensive and often involve long waits during peak flu season.

Urgent care clinics generally offer shorter wait times and lower out-of-pocket costs for non-emergency conditions, making them a more efficient option for many flu-related concerns.

Why Many South Texas Patients Choose Urgent Care

Urgent care provides a balance between convenience and quality care. Patients often choose urgent care because it offers:

• Walk-in availability

• Extended evening and weekend hours

• On-site testing

• Transparent pricing compared to the ER

For families and working adults, urgent care offers timely care without unnecessary delays.

Choose StatCare Urgent Care for Flu Symptoms

StatCare Urgent Care provides walk-in evaluation for flu symptoms across South Texas. Our providers help patients determine the cause of their symptoms and guide them on next steps for care.

To learn more about services and locations, visit www.mystatcare.com.

Get the Right Care at the Right Time

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms but are unsure where to go, urgent care is often the best first step. Choosing the appropriate level of care helps you recover faster and keeps emergency rooms available for true emergencies.

Visit your nearest StatCare Urgent Care location for same-day flu evaluation. Walk-ins are welcome.