The holiday season is a time of jubilation and merry festivity. Whether you’re stringing up lights, picking out gifts, or just spending time with loved ones there’s just something about this time of year that invokes reminiscence and joy. Unfortunately, it’s also a time of the year when bacteria seems to run rampant, viruses start to spread, and illnesses become a common occurrence.

Whether you’re going out of town to visit relatives or staying home and inviting guests into your home the typical weather conditions combined with the massive amounts of people coming into close contact while traveling lends itself to susceptibility. If you or someone you know comes down with something this year don’t waste the time and money trying to get into a doctors office or emergency room. Instead, think about finding an urgent care center nearby for medical help.

Urgent care clinics have become incredibly popular over the last few years, an estimated 3 million patients visit them each week, according to the Urgent Care Association of America.
Still, many people are leery about their somewhat rogue nature. Don’t let unfamiliarity scare you away from one of the best developments in the healthcare field today. There are currently 20,000 physicians who practice urgent care medicine today and the majority of centers have full-time licensed physicians on staff.

The most obvious benefit of these walk in clinics is their convenience and efficiency. Approximately 85% of urgent care centers are open seven days a week late into the night and sometimes even 24 hours a day. This makes them ideal for the busy traveler who’s fallen ill far away from their primary care professional.

The cost of these locations shouldn’t worry you either. In fact, a tight budget from post-holiday shopping is another reason to think about urgent care for your next non-emergency condition. On top of the fact that they’re simply just cheaper on average compared to traditional options, most insurance companies now cover them too.

Whether you’re the one to get sick or you’re hosting a guest in need of medical treatment check out the urgent care options available near you. Consider it an early Christmas present.