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The hustle and bustle of the holidays often leaves folks focused on gifts, travel and cheer, but it can also bring seasonal illnesses and unexpected health concerns in its wake. A little preparation can go a long way and might be what keeps you and your loved ones out of the emergency room (ER) this holiday season.

Start with simple prevention at home by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. This can include washing your hands often, staying hydrated, getting sufficient sleep and maintaining a balanced diet. It is also important before being in large crowds to ensure that you and your family are up to date on vaccines and avoid close contact with those who are sick to prevent the snowball effect of contagious infections.

Even the most prepared households can still face injury or illness, and it is important to know when to head to urgent care or when to head to the ER. Here are some topics to consider when deciding which option for care will best accommodate your needs:

Take a moment to reflect on your symptoms. Conditions such as mild fevers, flu or cold symptoms, sore throats or sinus infections are typically less severe and can be treated appropriately at an urgent care, or during a visit to a primary care physician. The same goes for minor injuries such as small cuts that stop bleeding after a short period of gentle pressure and minor burns that cause redness but only affect the outer layer of skin and do not show signs of blistering or tissue damage. However, symptoms that linger for more than two weeks with little to no improvement also warrant evaluation by a medical professional.

If your symptoms are more severe, it may be time to consider visiting the emergency room. Trouble breathing or noticeable shortness of breath, a fever of 103°F and chest pain are key indicators that emergency services are necessary. Vomiting or diarrhea that does not dissipate or headaches accompanied by dizziness or confusion may also require additional monitoring at an ER. When these situations occur, the emergency room is likely the appropriate choice, as they may indicate a serious or potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention.

A simple rule of thumb: Go to urgent care if you need assistance but are generally stable. Go to the emergency room if these symptoms could be dangerous without immediate assistance. If you’re ever unsure, it’s safer to choose the ER or call emergency services.

Being proactive about your health is always the first line of defense, but when illnesses and injuries are unavoidable, many can be handled quickly at urgent care so you can return to everyday activities. If you have a more serious concern, take the appropriate steps to ensure your family’s safety and head to the ER.

Andrew Gibbs, MD, is a family medicine physician treating patients in the Mount Juliet area. Winston Voigt, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is a family nurse practitioner who sees patients at Vanderbilt Health walk-in clinics in Williamson County.