Online urgent care is a telehealth service that allows you to speak with a licensed health care provider over video about non-emergency medical needs. Walk-in urgent care clinics are notorious for their long wait times. A video visit allows you to get the care you need within a few minutes of booking your appointment. Urgent care is suitable for conditions that, while uncomfortable, do not require emergency room care.

All you need for an online urgent care appointment on Sesame is a reliable internet connection and a place that you feel safe and secure (discussing medical information in public is never a good idea). Sesame does not work with health insurance plans or health plan providers, instead we connect you directly to medical care providers all from the comfort of your home.

Note: Sesame's online urgent care service is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.

Urgent Care Conditions

Some conditions that can be diagnosed and treated during an urgent care video visit include:

• Common cold
  
• Influenza (The flu)
  
• COVID-19
  
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  
• Sore throat
  
• Toothaches
  
• Sinus infection
  
• Skin infection
  
• Skin rash
  
• Poison ivy rash
  
• Vaginal infections
  
• Bacterial vaginosis
  
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  
• Back pain
  
• Asthma
  
• Allergies
  
• Migraines
  
• STI screenings
  
  

This is not a complete list of all conditions and concerns that can be treated during an online urgent care visit, though they are among the most common.

Urgent care visits are appropriate for medical conditions that need attention as soon as possible but do not require emergency care. You should not book an online urgent care appointment for a routine check-up or for preventative care.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should call 9-1-1 and seek emergency medical immediately:

• Chest pain
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Choking
  
• Sustained bleeding that won’t stop
  
• Persistent or severe vomiting
  
• Vomiting blood
  
• Head or neck injuries
  
• Loss of consciousness and fainting
  
• Sudden dizziness or weakness
  
• Severe stomach or abdominal pain
  
• Severe sudden pain in the body
  
  

These are signs of a medical emergency and require immediate care. Do not seek urgent care if you are experiencing any of the following, call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Urgent Care Treatment

Health care providers who offer urgent care services on Sesame can prescribe medication when appropriate. Although an urgent care appointment is not a guarantee for a prescription, many conditions treated via urgent care are treated with a course of prescription medication.

Common drugs prescribed during urgent care visits include:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are a type of antimicrobial drug used to treat bacterial infections. These drugs can be used for the treatment of humans and animals. A course of antibiotic treatment will kill bacteria in the body which will treat the infection while preventing the invasive microbes from spreading.

Examples of antibiotic medication include:

• Penicillin
  
• Amoxicillin
  
• Ampicillin
  
• Tetracycline
  
• Minocycline
  
• Cephalexin
  
• Cefdinir
  
• Azithromycin
  
• Erythromycin
  
• Ciprofloxacin
  
• Levofloxacin
  
• Tobramycin
  
• Clindamycin
  
  

Antivirals: Antivirals are a type of drug used to treat viral infections like the flu. These drugs are also used to treat conditions caused by viral infections like shingles, cold sores, genital herpes, and chickenpox. Antiviral drugs generally work by keeping the virus from replicating and infecting healthy cells. This slows an ongoing infection and provides symptom relief.

Examples of antiviral medication include:

• Acyclovir
  
• Valacyclovir
  
• Oseltamivir
  
• Famciclovir
  
  

Providers on Sesame can prescribe a wide range of medications used to treat infections, allergies, pain, and more. Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your provider and providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances or narcotics.

In-person vs. Online

Not sure if you should get urgent care in person or online? Online health care marketplaces like Sesame make it easier than ever to see an urgent care provider over video. This means that you can get the care you need right away without ever leaving your home. During an online appointment, you can discuss your symptoms, get a visual examination of your physical symptoms, and screen for certain conditions.

In some cases, you may need to book an in-person visit for a definitive diagnosis. If follow-up testing, blood work, or a physical examination is required, your provider will tell you how to proceed. Certain STIs, for example, can only be diagnosed via a blood test. This will require a visit to a clinic. If an in-person or follow-up appointment is needed, your provider will discuss the next steps with you.