Should You Go to Urgent Care, Your Primary Care Doctor, or the Emergency Room?

Jul 2, 2026 | Featured, Primary Care, Urgent Care, Your Health

A female patient speaks to a male doctor at Mount Sinai Express Care – Queens

A patient speaks to a doctor at Mount Sinai Express Care – Queens

If you’re sick or injured, it can be difficult to know whether you should visit a walk-in urgent care center, your primary care doctor, or the emergency room. Choosing the right place for same-day care can help you receive treatment more quickly while ensuring you get the care you need.

Ryan Renacci, MD, MA, Medical Director, Mount Sinai-Urgent Care, East 14th Street and Mount Sinai-Union Square, explains when each option is most appropriate.

a headshot of Ryan Renacci, MD, MA

Ryan Renacci, MD, MA

What is the difference between urgent care and the emergency room?

Emergency rooms, also known as emergency departments, are primarily for patients with life-threatening conditions, such as a stroke or major injury. Urgent care centers provide walk-in, same-day care for common illnesses and minor injuries that are not life-threatening.

Emergency rooms have greater resources to evaluate and treat more serious or complex conditions. They can perform laboratory testing and imaging quickly, provide rapid interpretation of results, and consult specialists if emergency intervention is needed.

Because lab results at urgent care are not available the same day, patients with symptoms such as chest pain, abdominal pain, or dizziness that could be related to a heart condition, blood clot, or stroke may be referred to the emergency room, where timely diagnosis and treatment are critical.

What conditions can be treated at an urgent care center?

Urgent care centers provide same-day care for many illnesses and injuries that require prompt treatment but are not medical emergencies, including:

Common illnesses

  • Upper respiratory infections, including strep throat
  • Flu symptoms
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Bronchitis
  • Mild coughs
  • Rashes

Minor injuries

  • Sprains and strains
  • Ankle injuries
  • Fractures of the arm or leg
  • Minor head injuries and concussions
  • Cuts requiring stitches or suture removal

Other services

  • Vaccinations
  • Routine blood tests
  • Screening laboratory tests
  • Evaluation for sexually transmitted infections

The help desk at Mount Sinai-Urgent Care, East 14th Street

The reception desk at Mount Sinai-Urgent Care, East 14th Street, located in Mount Sinai-Union Square


When should I go to the emergency room instead of urgent care?

Go to the emergency room immediately if you have symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding, major trauma, or another life-threatening emergency. If you are unsure whether your condition is an emergency, an urgent care provider can evaluate you and refer you to the emergency department if necessary.

What are some common misconceptions about urgent care?

A common misconception is that urgent care is the right place for ongoing, chronic, and complex medical problems. While urgent care is good for evaluating new symptoms that have developed over a few days, specialists are better equipped to monitor chronic illnesses, adjust medications, and manage more complex conditions over time.

Signs You Should Call 911

Examples:

  • Chest pain with shortness of breath
  • Sudden weakness or numbness
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Severe head injury
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe bleeding
  • Accidental drug ingestion or overdose

When should I see a doctor instead of going to urgent care?

If you are experiencing chronic or ongoing health problems, you should see a specialist. For example, chronic hearing loss or chronic hearing changes should be evaluated by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Persistent or complex skin rashes should be managed by a dermatologist, who can offer medications, perform biopsies, and provide specialized care. Similarly, changes or refills to chronic medications (like blood pressure medications) should always be performed by your primary care physician, who can monitor you over time.

What should I do if I can’t get an appointment with my primary care doctor?

If you cannot get a timely appointment with your primary care doctor, urgent care can provide same-day care for many non-emergency medical concerns while helping coordinate follow-up with a specialist or primary care doctor, often within a few days.

Find a Mount Sinai Urgent Care Center near you

I Think I Have a Sinus Infection. What Should I Do?

Oct 15, 2020 | Ear Nose Throat, Urgent Care, Your Health

Each year, nearly 30 million Americans are diagnosed with a sinus infection. Commonly referred to as “acute sinusitis,” sinus infections occur when inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinus cavities develop. As one of the most common illness in the country, they are a very frequent reason for patients to seek urgent medical care. In this Q & A, Catherine Spaulding, MD, a physician at Mount Sinai Urgent Care, explains how to identify a sinus infection and how best to treat your symptoms.  

How do I know if I have a sinus infection?

Look for the common symptoms such as a runny or congested nose, headaches, as well as pain and pressure in the sinuses — which are located above and below the eyes and on either side of the nose.

Frequently, sinus infections also cause a sore throat and coughing that is worse at night or the first thing in the morning. This is caused by post nasal drip and occurs when mucus drains down the back of the throat—most common when lying flat—resulting in  irritation of the throat, a scratchy or hoarse voice, and/or a cough.

Symptoms of a sinus infection typically last between three to ten days.

What causes acute sinusitis?

The large majority of cases of acute sinusitis are caused by viruses similar to those that cause the common cold. Inflammation of the sinuses from other triggers can also result in similar symptoms to that of a virus such as  environmental allergies, smoke, or dry air, as well as extreme changes in pressure that can occur when scuba diving or on an airplane. Additionally, patients with abnormal nasal anatomy, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps, are at increased risk of developing an infection.

How do I tell the difference between COVID-19 and a sinus infection?

Distinguishing between COVID-19 and a sinus infection can be difficult since both can cause nasal congestion, a sore throat, headaches and sinus pain or pressure.  However, COVID-19 is more commonly associated with a fever, cough, body aches, chills, chest tightness, shortness of breath and occasionally with diarrhea. It is best to share all of your symptoms with your doctor to help determine if you should be tested for COVID-19.

Do I need to take antibiotics to get rid of my sinus infection?

Typically, no. While antibiotics are useful in treating bacterial infections, they are powerless against viruses. Taking antibiotics when they are not necessary or indicated can lead to resistant bacterial infections and unwanted medication side effects. Because of this, it is important to discuss whether an antibiotic is really needed when treating any infection.

Only around two percent of sinus infections are caused by bacteria. However, there are several instances in which your doctor might recommend antibiotics for treatment. This includes:

  • If your symptoms persist beyond 10 days without any improvement
  • If your illness worsens after day seven
  • If you have fevers with a temperature greater than 102 F at the start of symptoms
  • If you have a history of immunocompromising conditions—such as cancer, a history of an organ transplant, poorly controlled HIV or an immunodeficiency —or use of immunosuppressant medications—such as high doses of corticosteroids or  chemotherapy
  • If you have undergone sinus surgery
What should I take to treat my symptoms?

Like the common cold, most sinus infections will go away on their own. Treatment  should be aimed at relieving congestion in the nose and sinus passages. Doing so not only improves symptoms of the infection but reduces the possibility of developing a secondary bacterial infection. Here are some things to try at home:

  • Rinse your nasal passages with saline. Use a nasal saline rinse or spray twice daily to remove the mucus from the sinus cavities. This will allow you to breathe much easier.
  • Use a nasal steroid spray. After rinsing out your nose with saline, use a nasal steroid spray such as Fluticasone—one spray in each nostril twice daily— to reduce post nasal drip and congestion.
  • Try an over the counter decongestant. Medications such as pseudoephedrine provide additional help in relieving your stuffy, runny nose. But keep in mind that pseudoephedrine is a mild stimulant that can cause insomnia, so avoid taking right before bedtime. Additionally, it can raise your blood pressure so those with hypertension should not take this and should try Coricidin instead.
  • Use a bedside humidifier. Running a humidifier while you sleep can help to moisten the nasal passages and throat which will improve the flow of mucus by thinning it . If you do not have a humidifier, try taking a steam shower before bed for the same effect.
  • Take preventative measures. If you have a history of seasonal allergies, consider starting a daily antihistamine to prevent inflammation and mucus production.

If you suspect that you have a sinus infection and would like to speak with a doctor about your symptoms, schedule a walk in or virtual appointment with a Mount Sinai Urgent Care physician. 

View Mount Sinai Urgent Care Locations

How to Pick an Urgent Care Center

Oct 28, 2018 | Urgent Care, Your Health

There are many urgent care centers throughout New York, and they are not all the same. Mount Sinai’s approach to urgent care is unique. Joseph Feldman, MD, FACEP, Mount Sinai Urgent Care Medical Director, explains why that’s important for you.

What can I expect when I walk into a Mount Sinai urgent care center?

When you visit Mount Sinai Urgent Care you become part of the Mount Sinai family.  Our centers are an integral part of the Mount Sinai Health System, known for quality care and cutting-edge research.

What are the qualifications of the doctors?

You will be treated by board certified Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine physicians along with skilled nurse practitioners and physician assistants. All physicians have faculty appointments to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and often train residents and medical students in the latest urgent care practices.

Why is a connection to a medical school important?

Mount Sinai doctors and researchers are developing strategies that will help patients avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital emergency department (ED). ED visits for conditions that are not true emergencies can be expensive and detrimental to your health. Our urgent care centers play an important role in providing you the right care and have shorter wait times

 Can I really just walk in?

We welcome walk-ins. If you have an urgent medical need that is not a life-threatening emergency, just come into any of our locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. You can also reserve a spot with our online scheduling system. We see patients of all ages, from infants to geriatrics, and we take all insurance plans including Fidelis and HealthFirst.

 What if I need further care?

We have priority access to primary care and specialty physicians of the Mount Sinai Health System, ensuring you can get easy referrals if you need additional care. Some of our urgent care centers even have multi-specialty practices within the same facility. Our urgent care centers are connected to the rest of the Mount Sinai Health System through electronic medical records, making it easy for physicians to communicate about your care.

What exactly do you treat at Mount Sinai Urgent Care?

We treat almost any immediate medical issue that’s not a life-threatening emergency, from sprains and broken bones to wounds and rashes. If you’re feeling symptoms of common illnesses like strep throat, flu, urinary tract infections, or sexually transmitted infections, we can confirm a diagnosis with a test and provide the medication you need. We offer a full array of vaccines and PPD testing for tuberculosis. We can also conduct physicals for school, work, workman’s compensation, and no-fault evaluations.

What kinds of diagnostic tools and imaging are available?

We do a full range of blood work and perform electrocardiograms. Our certified radiology technicians also provide full X-ray services. Some locations offer more advanced imaging, including CT scans and ultrasounds.

Learn more about Mount Sinai Urgent Care locations