Gold River Family Medicine
Board-Certified Family Practice Physicians located in Gold River, CA
Spending hours in a crowded, germ-filled ER or urgent care waiting room isn’t always the best — or healthiest — way to see a doctor. Luckily, at Gold River Family Medicine, Warren Brandle MD, MS, FAAFP, Jill Scully PA-C, and their team see patients for acute conditions, such as severe colds, sprains, and infections. If you have an injury or illness that needs attention, contact the office in Gold River, California, as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment, call the office - (916) 638-2800 - or book one online today.
- 916-638-2800
Acute Care Visits Q&A
What is an acute care visit?
Acute care describes short-term health treatment for a severe injury, a bout of illness, or urgent medical condition. Acute care is the opposite of chronic care, a form of long-term treatment for people with chronic conditions.
Some common examples of acute illness or injuries include:
- Colds, the flu, or bronchitis
- Ear, throat, or sinus infections
- Headaches
- Sprains or back pain
If you or a loved one is afflicted by one of these ailments, you should schedule an acute care visit at Gold River Family Medicine.
Should I go to the ER, urgent care, or my primary care provider?
For life-threatening emergencies, such as heart attacks, strokes, or serious head injuries, you should go to the ER right away.
For illnesses or injuries that don’t appear to be life-threatening, but also can’t wait until the next day or for an appointment with your primary care provider, urgent care centers offer readily available care outside of normal office hours.
However, for conditions that are not life-threatening and can wait a day or two, your primary care provider should be your first choice for care. They’re familiar with your medical history, and a scheduled office visit is often the most cost-effective method of treatment.
When should I see a doctor for a cold or flu?
It’s often tempting to wait for cold symptoms to pass, but it’s important to make sure that your cold or flu symptoms aren’t something more serious. It’s a good idea to make an acute care visit with Gold River Family Medicine if:
- Your fever doesn’t get better
- You can’t keep anything down
- Your cough won’t go away
- Your congestion or headache won’t go away
Coughs and colds can be signs of more serious conditions; for example, a constant, severe cough is the main symptom of whooping cough, a disease that has recently become more common in many parts of the United States.
If you have an acute condition, such as an ankle or back sprain, or if you’ve been coughing for more than 2-3 weeks, make an acute care visit with Gold River Family Medicine by calling the office - (916) 638-2800 - or using the online booking tool.