Urgent Care Centers provide convenient Medical care for non-life-threatening conditions that need prompt attention without a trip to the emergency room. These centers treat a wide range of issues, including sprains, minor cuts, burns, ear infections, sore throats, and flu-like symptoms. Many also offer on-site lab testing, X-rays, and diagnostic services to quickly identify and treat conditions such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and minor fractures. This makes it easy for patients to get care in one visit without the long wait or high cost associated with hospital ERs.

In addition to Urgent medical needs, many urgent care centers provide wellness and preventive services such as school or sports physicals, immunizations, and occupational health exams. They often accept walk-in visits and extended hours, making care accessible on evenings and weekends. Patients can rely on licensed medical professionals for timely, compassionate treatment that helps them feel better faster. Urgent care centers bridge the gap between primary care and emergency services, offering efficient, affordable, and high-quality care when it’s needed most.

Doctors use two primary Screening methods to check if a person has been infected with the bacteria that causes Tuberculosis (TB): the TB Skin Test (TST) and the TB Blood Test (IGRA). The TST, which involves injecting a small amount of testing fluid (tuberculin) under the skin, requires patients to return 48 to 72 hours later to have the resulting skin reaction (induration) measured by a healthcare professional.

The IGRA is an Alternative, requiring only a single blood draw that is then sent to a laboratory, offering results that are typically ready within 24 to 48 hours. Both tests measure the immune system's reaction to the bacteria; a positive result indicates an infection is present - either latent (inactive and non-contagious) or active (symptomatic and contagious). If the initial screening test is positive, further evaluation, such as a chest X-ray and sputum culture, is immediately required to determine the status of the infection and ensure proper, often long-term, antibiotic treatment is provided to prevent the disease's progression and transmission.

Choosing the right Test depends on patient factors, including prior BCG vaccination history, which can sometimes cause a false positive result with the TST, making the blood test (IGRA) a preferred and more specific option in those cases.