
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
FIND THE RIGHT CARE
If you are visiting Houston or the surrounding region, it is important to know that the United States has a comprehensive healthcare system with multiple options for emergency and urgent medical care, including hospital-based emergency departments, freestanding emergency rooms, and urgent care centers. These facilities are widely available and designed to provide timely evaluation and treatment for a broad range of medical conditions. Below is an explanation of how each type of facility may differ from the other and the range of emergencies they can manage.
EMERGENGY DEPARTMENT
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Chest pain
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Stroke symptoms
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Severe shortness of breath
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Severe bleeding
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Major trauma
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Seizure
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Passing out
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Severe allergic reaction
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Severe abdominal pain
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Blue lips, altered mental status, or serious illness in a child
URGENT CARE
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Colds, flu, sore throat
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Ear infection
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Minor cuts needing simple closure
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Mild asthma flare
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Sprains and minor fractures
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Minor burns
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Pink eye
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UTI symptoms
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Rash
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Fever without severe distress