Navigating Flu Season: Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care for Treatment and Care Decisions

by MARK POWELL

With the holiday flu season in full swing, a familiar scene is playing out in countless homes across South Carolina: people feel sick, weary and weak – their bodies overcome with pain. Many are so ill they can barely get out of bed – let alone meet the elevated demands associated with this busy time of year.

If things deteriorate past a certain point, a partner, friend or family member invariably offers the following observation: “you should probably get that checked out.”  And if our loved ones fail to heed that advice while continuing to suffer, the observation often becomes an ultimatum: “you are either going to the doctor or I’m taking you.”

But now comes a dilemma: where should you go?

This question is particularly pressing for those who do not have a primary care physician. And with flu cases mounting, the answer is important not just for our individual health – but also the ability of our system to handle the seasonal strain.

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One Midlands-area physician has a helpful suggestion for those trying to navigate the uncertainty. It boils down to three simple words: urgent care center.

“If you’ve got cold symptoms and wonder, ‘Do I have the flu? Do I have COVID? Do I have RSV? Does my baby have RSV? The nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that go with the so-called stomach bug? It’s all part of a long list of things that we can readily take care of in the urgent care.”

Thomas Gibbons, MDshould know. He’s the medical doctor for Lexington Health’s Cayce Urgent Care and Northeast Urgent Care. And, starting this time each year, he sees a huge uptick in patient volume.

To be clear: the flu is a serious illness and shouldn’t be taken lightly. According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2024-2025 flu season attained ‘high severity” status. Here in the Palmetto State, the S.C. Department of Public Health (SCDPH) reported 51,734 lab-confirmed cases by the middle of February, with 139 influenza-associated deaths.

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Thomas Gibbons, MD (Lexington Health)

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Yet while flu isn’t something to fool around with, the first instinct many patients have upon realizing they are sick isn’t a good one, either. All too often, their initial impulse is to rush to the emergency department – or emergency room (ER) – at their nearest hospital.

For many years, an ER visit was just about the only treatment option available outside typical business hours. But Dr. Gibbons says that’s not the case today.

“Historically, it’s been the emergency department,” he noted. “People would go to the ER by default because they couldn’t get in to see their doctor. It was a pressing issue, and they needed to be seen right away as opposed to tomorrow or the next day.”

Acting on this ingrained tendency to head straight to the ER can unknowingly make a bad situation worse, though, according to Dr. Gibbons.

“A confluence of things makes going to the emergency department very difficult these days,” he said. “One is the number of people there because they don’t have access to routine care. Maybe they don’t have a primary care doctor, maybe they truly have a medical emergency – but you have a large volume of people who need to be evaluated and treated in the emergency department.”

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Ambulances outside the emergency room. (Getty)

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Dr. Gibbons added that once patients present at the ER, many of them “need to be admitted.”

“When the ER is very busy, patients are sometimes receiving care in the hallway while waiting for a hospital bed to open. At the same time, we’re taking care of the people who are still coming in to be seen for all the different reasons they come into the ER,” said Dr. Gibbons.

This patient overflow creates a bottleneck in providing care at the ER – and severely strains resources for ER doctors and staff.

“That is very problematic,” Dr. Gibbons said. “It’s something they’ve been trying to figure out as long as I can remember, and I’ve been doing this for over 40 years.”

As a result of this bottleneck, hospitals end up with “lots of people in the emergency department that we could take care of very readily and do a great job in the urgent care setting.”

How should a patient decide where to go when they’re sick and realize they need help? Dr. Gibbons has a helpful analogy.

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“I look at it like a traffic light,” he said. “If the light’s green, that would be urgent care. Yellow or red… probably better to go to the emergency department.”

Also, Dr. Gibbons noted many urgent care centers now offer a much wider range of treatment options – extending far beyond the original “doc-in-a-box” quick-visit concept.

“Some people say, ‘why go to the urgent care? they can’t do anything there,’” he said. “Well, it depends on the particular facility. Some urgent care facilities can only do a strep test or a flu test – or maybe a urinalysis and sometimes X-rays. But our six facilities have the capability to perform extensive lab tests, X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. So, we can do a fairly comprehensive evaluation and treat most conditions effectively so that people don’t have to go to the ER.”

Remember that this flu season: knowing when it’s time to get help is a critical first step… but knowing where to go has become every bit as important for the health of our communities.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

Mark Powell (Provided)

J. Mark Powell is an award-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Email him at [email protected].

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What are the key differences in cost between seeking flu treatment at an emergency room versus an urgent care center?

Understanding the Flu & When to Seek Medical Attention

The seasonal influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. (World Health Association,2025). Knowing when to seek medical care is crucial during peak flu season. Many cases can be managed at home, but some require professional medical intervention. Understanding the differences between an emergency room (ER) and urgent care center is vital for making the right decision for your health and avoiding needless costs or wait times. This article will guide you through those decisions, covering flu symptoms, severity levels, and appropriate care settings.

Emergency Room (ER): For severe Flu Complications

The ER is designed to handle life-threatening emergencies. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following flu complications, immediate attention at the ER is necessary:

* Difficulty Breathing: Labored breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing.

* Persistent Chest Pain or Pressure: A sign of potential pneumonia or other serious cardiac issues.

* Sudden Dizziness or Confusion: Indicating a possible neurological complication.

* Severe Weakness or Muscle Pain: Extreme weakness that interferes with daily activities.

* Seizures: A critical symptom requiring immediate medical intervention.

* severe Dehydration: Signs include decreased urination, extreme thirst, and dizziness.

* Worsening of Chronic Medical Conditions: If the flu exacerbates existing conditions like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.

* High Fever with Stiff Neck: Could indicate meningitis.

* In children: Emergency warning signs include fast breathing, bluish skin color, not waking up or interacting, severe chest pain, and dehydration.

ER Costs & Wait times: Be prepared for potentially long wait times, especially during peak flu outbreaks, and substantially higher costs compared to urgent care. ER visits for the flu can easily exceed $1,500, even with insurance.

Urgent Care Center: For Moderate Flu Symptoms

Urgent care centers bridge the gap between your primary care physician and the ER. They are ideal for treating moderate flu symptoms that require prompt attention but aren’t life-threatening. Consider urgent care if you experience:

* High Fever: A temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher.

* Severe Sore Throat: Making it difficult to swallow.

* Cough with Mild Wheezing: Suggesting possible bronchitis.

* Moderate Body Aches: Significant discomfort but not debilitating.

* Sinus Pain and Congestion: Indicating a possible sinus infection.

* Flu-like Symptoms in High-Risk Individuals: Including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions.

Urgent Care Benefits:

* Convenience: Often have extended hours and are available on weekends.

* lower Costs: Typically cost between $100-$300 per visit, depending on services rendered.

* Shorter Wait Times: Generally, wait times are shorter than in the ER.

* Diagnostic Testing: Many urgent care centers offer flu tests (rapid influenza diagnostic tests – RIDTs) to confirm diagnosis.

* Prescription Medications: Can prescribe antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) if appropriate,especially within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.

Antiviral Medications & Treatment Options

Antiviral drugs are most effective when started within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. Both ERs and urgent care centers can prescribe these medications. However,the decision to prescribe depends on several factors,including:

1. Severity of Illness: Antivirals are often recommended for individuals at high risk of complications.
2. Duration of Symptoms: Effectiveness decreases the longer you wait to start treatment.
3. Underlying Health Conditions: Individuals with chronic illnesses are more likely to benefit from antiviral therapy.

Beyond antiviral medications, treatment focuses on supportive care:

* Rest: Allow your body to recover.

* Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

* Over-the-Counter Medications: Pain relievers and fever reducers can help manage symptoms.

Preventing the Flu: Proactive Steps

prevention is always the best medicine. Here are key steps to protect yourself and others during flu season:

* Get vaccinated: The annual flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu.

* Practice Good Hygiene: wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

* Avoid Close Contact: Stay away from people who are sick.

* Cover Your Cough: Use a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.

* Stay Home When Sick: Prevent spreading the virus to others.

* Disinfect Surfaces: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Real-World Example: A Case Study

Last December,a 78-year-old patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CO