You’re out with your family on a sunny Saturday afternoon, enjoying a hike on Lookout Mountain. Suddenly, someone trips, takes a hard fall, and ends up with a swollen ankle and a lot of pain. It is not clear if the injury requires a trip to the emergency room, but it also cannot wait until Monday. So what do you do?

Knowing whether to head to an urgent care center or the emergency room can make a big difference in how quickly you receive care, how much you pay, and how stressful your experience will be. Many non-life-threatening conditions can be treated at urgent care, making it a smarter and more convenient option for many situations. At AFC Chattanooga, we are here to help guide you through that decision and provide the expert care you need.

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What is the Difference Between Urgent Care and the Emergency Room?

Emergency rooms are designed to handle serious and life-threatening conditions. These include symptoms and injuries that could lead to permanent damage or death if not treated immediately. Urgent care centers, on the other hand, are equipped to treat non-life-threatening medical issues that still require prompt attention.

For example, if you or someone with you is experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe trauma, the emergency room is the right choice. These are situations where every second counts.

However, for illnesses or injuries that are urgent but not life-threatening, AFC Chattanooga is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the emergency room. We provide fast, walk-in care for a wide range of common health issues and offer many of the same services your primary care provider would, but with the benefit of extended hours and no need for an appointment.

When to Visit

Our center offers comprehensive services for children, teens, and adults. Some of the most common reasons patients visit include:

• Cold, flu, and COVID-19 symptoms
• Strep throat, RSV, and other respiratory infections
• Sprains, strains, and minor fractures
• Cuts, bruises, and minor burns
• Ear infections and sore throats
• Urinary tract infections
• Allergic reactions that are not severe
• Mild asthma symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Headaches and minor back pain
• Pink eye and other minor eye irritations
• Skin infections, rashes, and impetigo

In addition to treating acute health concerns, we offer preventive care and health monitoring services, including:

• Sports and school physicals
• Vaccines and immunizations
• Digital X-rays and on-site lab testing
• Travel medicine consultations
• Occupational health services
• Blood pressure monitoring and wellness checks

If you are unsure whether your condition requires emergency care or can be treated at urgent care, our experienced medical team can evaluate your symptoms and guide you to the next step. Walk-ins are always welcome, and many visits are completed in under an hour.

Benefits of Choosing Us Over the ER

There are several important advantages to visiting urgent care instead of the emergency room for non-life-threatening conditions.

Shorter Wait Times
Emergency rooms prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition. This means you might wait for hours if your issue is not considered critical. At urgent care, you are typically seen more quickly, often within minutes.

Lower Costs
Urgent care visits usually cost significantly less than emergency room care. Most insurance plans are accepted at AFC Chattanooga and we offer affordable self-pay rates to ensure access to quality care for all patients.

Convenient Hours
We know that health problems do not always happen during business hours. That is why we are open seven days a week with extended hours, including evenings and weekends, so you can get care when you need it most.

Comprehensive Services in One Place
Our clinic offers a wide range of diagnostic tools and treatment options, all in one location. From digital X-rays to lab work, you can often receive testing, diagnosis, and treatment during a single visit.

Compassionate, Professional Care
Our team is committed to treating each patient with respect and compassion. We understand that seeking medical care can be stressful, especially when an injury or illness disrupts your plans. Our goal is to provide timely, high-quality care in a welcoming environment.

When You Should Still Go to the Emergency Room

There are times when urgent care is not the right place. Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if you or someone else is experiencing:

• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Sudden numbness, confusion, or difficulty speaking
• Seizures or loss of consciousness
• Severe allergic reactions involving difficulty breathing or swelling of the face
• Major injuries such as deep wounds or broken bones with visible deformity
• Heavy, uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe burns
• Vomiting blood or repeated vomiting without relief

These conditions require advanced resources and an immediate response only available in an emergency setting.

The Right Care at the Right Time

When a health issue suddenly interrupts your weekend hike, soccer game, or day at the lake, it is important to know where to turn. For non-life-threatening concerns that need timely treatment, AFC is a smart, convenient, and cost-effective solution.

With shorter wait times, a broad range of services, and extended hours, our urgent care center is here to help you and your family feel better fast.

Visit AFC Chattanooga today for professional medical care that fits your life. Walk in anytime or schedule your visit online.