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Is it Urgent or Emergent?

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Is it Urgent or Emergent?

Unexpected illnesses, injuries and emergencies can be overwhelming. Prepare yourself for life’s unexpected moments and know when to head to the nearest emergency room (ER) and when you can be treated at an urgent care clinic.

WHEN TO GO TO URGENT CARE

When your situation is not life threatening, head to an urgent care clinic or call your primary care provider.

  • Allergic reaction
  • Allergies
  • Back pain
  • Cold symptoms
  • Cough
  • COVID-19 without complications
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty breathing (asthma)
  • Ear infection
  • Fever
  • Flu without complications
  • Headache
  • Insect bites
  • Joint pain
  • Lacerations
  • Migraine
  • Minor burns
  • Minor wounds
  • Nausea
  • Neck Pain
  • Pink eye
  • Sinus pain
  • Skin rash without fever
  • Sore throat, without complications
  • Sprains/strains
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Vomiting
WHEN TO GO TO THE ER

Don’t waste time if you’re experiencing these serious conditions. Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest ER. Note: this is not an exhaustive list of conditions that may require emergency care.

  • Broken bones
  • Chest pain or squeezing sensation in chest
  • COVID-19 with complications including breathing difficulties, high fever and unresponsiveness
  • Flu with complications, including breathing difficulties, high fever and unresponsiveness
  • Foreign object stuck in body
  • Head trauma
  • High blood sugar
  • 103ºF or higher fever; fever with rash
  • Intense headache
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Open wounds/severed limbs
  • Poisoning or suspected overdose of medications
  • Seizure or loss of consciousness
  • Serious burns
  • Mental health issues
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Severe physical pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Skin infections/abscess
  • Sore throat with complications, such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and high fever
  • Sudden change in vision
  • Sudden paralysis or slurred speech
  • Uncontrollable bleeding
  • Unexplained, slurred speech

North Oaks Medical Center is a Level II Trauma Center providing care for all injured patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Remember, an ER must treat critical and life-threatening cases ahead of non-emergency conditions, so wait times for non-emergency conditions might be shorter at an urgent care clinic. North Oaks Urgent Care sees patients on a first come first served basis, and you can reserve your spot online here.

North Oaks Urgent Care brings a new level of expertise to our community – providing you with the care you need for your illness or injury. We treat people of all ages – from infants to older adults – and are open every day from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. So when your health needs can’t wait head to a North Oaks Urgent Care in Hammond, Ponchatoula or Walker.

North Oaks Urgent Care clinics cannot treat life-threatening or possible loss-of-limb emergencies. In such situations, call 9-1-1 or see medical attention at the nearest emergency room.