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ER vs. Convenient Care

Convenient Care medical centers are ideal for sprains, strains, cuts, rashes, cold and flu, auto and work-related injuries, and school or sports physicals. Each site is equipped with X-ray capabilities for fractures and broken bones (not protruding through the skin).

Convenient Care is appropriate when:

  • You have a non-life-threatening emergency.
  • You're unable to get an appointment with your primary care doctor.
  • You're not established with a primary care physician.

"Convenient Care is ... a great alternative to using the emergency department for nonlife-threatening medical issues - especially during season," says Kris Fay, Chief Administrative Officer of Lee Physician Group. "It gives the community immediate access to quality, hospital-affiliated health care provided by our trusted Lee Physician Group physicians and skilled nurses."  

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some quick answers to your questions regarding flu — answered by Mary Beth Saunders, D.O., Lee Health system medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention, and Steve Streed, Lee Health system director, epidemiology and infection control.

What's the difference between a flu and cold?

While the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by two completely different viruses. The two also have common symptoms, but, in general, the flu is worse and the symptoms are more intense.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has a lot of helpful information, including the differences between cold and flu symptoms. Here are the highlights:

Flu symptoms:

  • Feeling feverish or fever, often higher than 100 degrees – though not all people with flu have fever
  • Chills
  • Chest congestion, which may be severe
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Severe muscle aches
  • Cough
  • Some may experience vomiting and diarrhea, though that is more common in children. It is also important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

Cold symptoms:

  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Congestion

How do you spot it?

The flu usually comes on suddenly and the symptoms tend to be much more intense with body aches and possibly fever.

Where do you take your kids for either one?

Contact your family physician for further direction or visit one of Lee Health's four Convenient Care offices, or a walk-in or urgent care center.

When is the right time to visit the ER?

Conditions that normally need emergency care:

  • Severe bleeding
  • Head injury with passing out, fainting, or confusion
  • Injury to neck or spine
  • Electric shock or severe burn
  • Pain in the arm or jaw
  • Sudden confusion
  • Severe abdominal or chest pain
  • Suspected broken bones
  • Stopped breathing, trouble breathing or changing color
  • Fever accompanied with nausea and vomiting
  • If your baby is under 3 months old and has a fever
  • If your child has a fever of 104 or higher
  • Sudden dizziness and a change in vision
  • Falls from a significant height
  • Gaping wounds
  • Life-threatening injury
  • A seizure that lasts longer than 3-5 minutes
  • Poisoning
  • A vehicle accident that leaves a someone bleeding, unconscious, or unresponsive