Emergency guide
When Should You Go to the ER?
The ER is for symptoms that may be life-threatening, limb-threatening, or likely to require hospital-level testing and treatment. Urgent care can be useful, but it is not a substitute for emergency care.
Quick answer: Go to the ER or call 911 when symptoms may threaten life, brain, breathing, circulation, limb function, pregnancy, or immediate safety. Common red flags include chest pain or pressure, severe shortness of breath, stroke symptoms, sudden weakness or face drooping, loss of consciousness, uncontrolled bleeding, severe allergic reaction, severe burns, major injury, poisoning, seizure that does not stop quickly, sudden worst headache, and risk of self-harm or harm to others. Urgent care may fit stable problems such as sore throat, ear pain, mild fever, simple cuts, limited rashes, urinary symptoms, or sprains. If you are unsure and symptoms feel dangerous, do not wait for an online tool.
Chest pain or pressure
Chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, faintness, or sudden weakness can be signs of a heart attack or another serious condition. Emergency evaluation is safer than driving yourself to a clinic.
Sudden severe headache
A sudden worst headache, a headache with confusion, fainting, weakness, stiff neck, fever, vision changes, or head injury can require emergency evaluation. A clinic may not have the imaging, monitoring, or emergency medications needed to rule out dangerous causes.
Stroke symptoms
Face drooping, arm weakness, speech trouble, sudden confusion, sudden vision loss, or severe dizziness can be time-sensitive. Call 911 immediately because treatment windows can be short and delays can change outcomes.
Breathing trouble
If someone cannot speak in full sentences, is turning blue, is using extra effort to breathe, or is worsening quickly, urgent care is not enough. Mayo Clinic advises immediate care for severe shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or shortness of breath with chest pain, fainting, blue lips or nails, or mental-status changes.
Severe allergic reaction
Throat tightness, swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing, fainting, widespread hives, or trouble swallowing can signal anaphylaxis. Call 911 and use prescribed epinephrine if available.
Mental health emergency
If there is immediate risk of self-harm or harm to another person, call 911 or go to the ER. In the United States, you can also call or text 988 for suicide and crisis support.
Major injury or uncontrolled bleeding
Deep wounds, heavy bleeding, severe burns, possible broken bones with loss of movement, head injury with confusion or fainting, electric shock, choking, poisoning, or major trauma should be treated as emergencies. The ER can stabilize bleeding, manage airway and circulation problems, perform imaging, and involve surgical or specialty teams when needed.
When urgent care may fit
Urgent care may be reasonable for non-life-threatening infections, mild to moderate sprains, simple cuts, sore throats, ear pain, urinary symptoms, rashes, and other same-day issues when symptoms are stable. If urgent care staff think the symptom needs hospital-level care, they may still send you to the ER.
What to say when you call
If you call 911, give the dispatcher your location first, then the main symptom, when it started, the person's age, whether they are conscious and breathing, and any major medical history you know. Stay on the line unless the dispatcher tells you to hang up.
Use the calculator to compare care options, but do not delay emergency care if symptoms feel dangerous. For immediate danger, call 911.