Suppose you’ve ever felt the onset of a sinus infection, bronchitis, or a painful UTI outside of regular doctor’s hours. In that case, you might have wondered: Can urgent care prescribe antibiotics? The answer is yes for Central Illinois Urgent Care—and in many cases, urgent care centers are one of the most convenient places to get evaluated and treated when you need fast relief.
Urgent Care and Antibiotic Prescriptions
Urgent care centers are staffed by licensed medical professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They are fully qualified to diagnose infections and, when appropriate, prescribe antibiotics. Common conditions treated with antibiotics at urgent care include:
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Skin infections
- Bronchitis or pneumonia (when bacterial)
After a quick evaluation and, if needed, a diagnostic test (like a rapid strep or urinalysis), the provider can determine whether an antibiotic is necessary—or if the illness is likely viral and will improve without medication.
Why Urgent Care is a Smart Choice for Minor Infections
Here are a few key benefits of visiting urgent care for antibiotics:
- Convenience: Walk-in visits and extended hours make it easy to be seen when your primary care doctor isn’t available.
- Speed: Many urgent care centers can provide same-day diagnosis and prescriptions within an hour or less.
- On-site pharmacies or e-prescribing: Some centers even offer in-house medications or send your prescription directly to your local pharmacy, saving you time.
When Antibiotics Aren’t the Right Answer
It’s important to note that not every illness needs antibiotics. Many respiratory infections, such as colds and most cases of bronchitis, are caused by viruses—and antibiotics don’t work on viruses. Unnecessary antibiotic use can lead to resistance, meaning they may not work when you truly need them in the future.
A qualified urgent care provider will evaluate your symptoms and medical history to determine appropriate antibiotics. If not, they’ll recommend supportive care and explain how to manage your symptoms as you recover.
Central Illinois Urgent Care can prescribe antibiotics when medically necessary. We offer a fast, reliable solution for treating mild to moderate infections without the long wait of a primary care visit or the high cost of the ER. Our urgent care is a great first stop if you’re feeling under the weather and may need antibiotics.