Can DrHouse handle medical emergencies?
No, DrHouse does not handle medical emergencies. It is designed only for non-emergency care that can be safely evaluated through virtual visits.
Quick Answer:
- Not for emergencies or life-threatening conditions
- Designed for non-emergency, everyday medical issues
- Call 911 or go to the ER for urgent or severe symptoms
- Physicians may redirect you to in-person care if needed
What DrHouse Is For
DrHouse connects you with licensed physicians for conditions that can be treated remotely, such as infections, cold and flu, chronic condition management, and wellness care.
During a visit, a doctor evaluates your symptoms and provides treatment, prescriptions, or referrals when appropriate.
What Counts as a Medical Emergency
You should not use DrHouse if you are experiencing serious or life-threatening symptoms, including:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Difficulty breathing
- Signs of stroke (e.g., sudden weakness, slurred speech)
- Severe bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
- Serious head injury
These situations require immediate, in-person medical attention.
What Happens If Your Condition Is Serious
If you start a visit and your symptoms are not appropriate for telehealth:
- The physician may advise you to go to the ER or urgent care
- You may be referred for in-person evaluation, imaging, or emergency care
DrHouse physicians prioritize patient safety and will guide you to the right level of care.
Important to Know
- DrHouse is a virtual-only platform with no physical clinics
- It cannot provide emergency interventions, procedures, or monitoring
- Care is limited to what can be safely assessed via video consultation
For non-emergency care, you can learn more at Virtual Urgent Care or start a visit at Get Started.
Content on the DrHouse website is written by our medical content team and reviewed by qualified MDs, PhDs, NPs, and PharmDs. We follow strict content creation guidelines to ensure accurate medical information. However, this content is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information read our medical disclaimer.
Always consult with your physician or other qualified health providers about medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on what you read on this website.
If you are experiencing high fever (>103F/39.4C), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal bruising, abnormal bleeding, extreme fatigue, dizziness, new weakness or paralysis, difficulty with speech, confusion, extreme pain in any body part, or inability to remain hydrated or keep down fluids or feel you may have any other life-threatening condition, please go to the emergency department or call 911 immediately.
