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Urgent Care Guides

  • Virginia School Entrance Health Form (MCH 213G): A Parent’s Guide

    Virginia School Entrance Health Form (MCH 213G): A Parent’s Guide

    Virginia requires a comprehensive physical exam for children entering public kindergarten or elementary school for the first time, completed within 12 months before school entry. It’s documented on the School Entrance Health Form (MCH 213G), which has three parts: health history (completed by the parent), immunization certification, and the physical exam report. A licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant can complete it, including at a walk-in clinic like PACS.

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  • DOT Medical Card in Virginia: CDL Physical Guide

    DOT Medical Card in Virginia: CDL Physical Guide

    Most Virginia CDL drivers who operate in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce need a DOT medical examiner’s certificate (medical card) from an examiner listed on FMCSA’s National Registry. Since May 5, 2025, Virginia DMV no longer accepts medical certificates submitted by drivers. Certified examiners send results electronically through the National Registry. PACS offers walk-in DOT physicals with same-day certificates. The self-pay visit price is $129.

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  • Using Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) at Urgent Care

    Using Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) at Urgent Care

    Yes, most Virginia Medicaid members can use urgent care for same-day illnesses and injuries. Virginia Medicaid is called Cardinal Care, and most members get benefits through one of five managed care health plans: Aetna Better Health of Virginia, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Humana Healthy Horizons in Virginia, Sentara Health Plans and UnitedHealthcare. PACS Urgent Care participates with Medicaid and several of these plans. Call (571) 656-8838 to confirm your plan before your visit.

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  • Rapid Flu Test: How It Works, Accuracy & When to Get One

    Rapid Flu Test: How It Works, Accuracy & When to Get One

    A rapid flu test uses a quick nasal swab to check for influenza A and B, with results during your visit, often in about 15 minutes. Testing is most useful in the first 48 hours of symptoms, when a positive result can lead to antiviral treatment. Rapid tests can miss some cases, so your provider may still diagnose flu based on symptoms. At PACS Urgent Care, each self-pay rapid test is $45 plus the visit.

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  • Back-to-School Checklist: Physicals, Sports Forms & Health Tips

    Back-to-School Checklist: Physicals, Sports Forms & Health Tips

    Before school starts in Virginia, check whether your child needs a school entry physical, a sports physical, updated vaccine records, and medication forms for school. PACS Urgent Care in Alexandria offers walk-in school and sports physicals 7 days a week, with forms completed on the spot. Self-pay prices are $95 for a school physical and $55 for a sports or camp physical.

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  • Heat Exhaustion in the DC Area: Signs, First Aid & When to Get Care

    Heat Exhaustion in the DC Area: Signs, First Aid & When to Get Care

    Heat exhaustion causes heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and cool, clammy skin. Move to a cool place, drink water and rest. If you don’t feel better within an hour, or you can’t keep fluids down, go to urgent care for evaluation and IV fluids. Heat stroke is an emergency: call 911 for a body temperature of 103°F or higher, confusion, fainting, or hot skin with little sweating.

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  • Allergy Season in Northern Virginia: When to See Urgent Care

    Allergy Season in Northern Virginia: When to See Urgent Care

    Northern Virginia has a long allergy season: tree pollen peaks in spring (roughly March to May), grass pollen in late spring and early summer, and ragweed in late summer and fall (roughly August to October). Most seasonal allergies can be managed with over-the-counter medicines. See urgent care if symptoms aren’t controlled, you develop sinus pain or fever, or allergies trigger wheezing or asthma. Call 911 for swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing.

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  • Urgent Care FAQ: Blood Work, Referrals, Prescriptions & Who Treats You

    Urgent Care FAQ: Blood Work, Referrals, Prescriptions & Who Treats You

    Urgent care can do blood work, rapid tests, X-rays and EKGs, write prescriptions, give work and school notes, and refer you to specialists. At PACS Urgent Care in Alexandria, every visit is led by board-certified physicians and physician assistants, walk-ins are welcome 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, and most major insurance plans are accepted.

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  • Can Urgent Care Give a Doctor’s Note for Work or School?

    Can Urgent Care Give a Doctor’s Note for Work or School?

    Yes. After you’re seen and examined, an urgent care provider can give you a note for work or school that confirms your visit and, when appropriate, recommends time off or activity limits. Notes are based on your exam that day. Providers generally can’t write notes for days they didn’t see you or without a visit.

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  • Can Urgent Care Prescribe Antibiotics?

    Can Urgent Care Prescribe Antibiotics?

    Yes. Urgent care providers can prescribe antibiotics when you have a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, a UTI, many ear infections, bacterial pink eye or a skin infection. They won’t prescribe antibiotics for colds, flu, COVID-19 or most sore throats and sinus infections, because those are usually caused by viruses and antibiotics don’t work on viruses.

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    To make your visit as smooth and convenient as possible, we offer online check-in—an easy way to reserve your place in line, similar to joining a waitlist. You’ll receive real-time updates on your estimated wait time, giving you added flexibility and convenience while planning your visit.
    Although we do our best to remain on schedule, occasional delays may occur, especially during unexpected increases in walk-in patients. We appreciate your understanding, as these delays allow us to provide every patient with the attentive, quality care they deserve—including you.
    Thank you for your patience, your trust, and for choosing our team for your care. We look forward to serving you soon.

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