Sickness Visits and Minor Injury Care

Quality medical care when you are sick

Sickness visits

FEELING SICK? WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

For patients who are suffering from illness and feeling unwell, we strive to offer same-day or next-day sick visit appointments to help you get back on track to feeling better. An acute illness such as a cold, flu or strep throat is caused by exposure to germs, which begins to produce symptoms that will usually resolve in a short amount of time. Fortunately, most viral illnesses will be mild and do not require any medical intervention.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT SICK VISITS

TYPES OF ACUTE ILLNESSES

Some common types of acute illnesses include:

  • Strep Throat
  • Sinus Infection
  • Upper Respiratory Infection
  • Flu
  • Bronchitis
  • Gastrointestinal Illness

During your sick visit with the VitalCare Family Practice team, we will check your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, etc.), have you describe your symptoms and if necessary, conduct a few tests. Following this examination, our physicians will provide you with a diagnosis and customized treatment plan. While some acute illnesses such as strep throat can be treated with antibiotics, other viral illnesses do not have a definitive cure. In these instances, the VitalCare Family Practice team will outline some steps you can take to manage your symptoms, and recommend any over-the-counter medications.

SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE ILLNESS

The symptoms of illness can vary depending on the type of illness that you have contracted. The common cold is an upper respiratory infection that produces symptoms such as:

  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Runny nose
  • Congestion
  • Body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Decreased appetite
  • Low-grade fever

We recognize that these symptoms can vary in severity, which is why VitalCare Family Practice can evaluate your illness and offer treatment as necessary.

TIPS FOR MANAGING THE SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS

Although there is no cure for viral illnesses, VitalCare Family Practice offers some tips on how to manage the symptoms of colds and flu so you can start feeling better as soon as possible. We encourage patients with illness to:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or electrolyte drinks, as this tends to thin mucus secretions and reduce congestion
  • Use a cool-mist vaporizer at night during sleep
  • Take an over-the-counter fever reducer or pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
  • Sip on warm beverages to ease the discomfort of sore throat
  • Use a saline spray to keep nostrils moist, which will help reduce discomfort from blowing nose
  • Get plenty of rest

If you were recently ill and have been managing symptoms and taking medications as directed and are still not feeling better, contact our team at VitalCare Family Practice in Chesterfield and Henrico, VA. Occasionally, viral illness can cause a secondary infection, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection or ear infection. Secondary illnesses such as these require further diagnosis and treatment in order to fully heal. Call us at (804) 256-8282 to schedule an appointment.

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TREATMENT FOR MINOR INJURIES 

From scratches and sprains to aches and pains, our team at VitalCare Family Practice is here to help! We offer treatment for minor injuries to help you get back on your feet. If further diagnosis or treatment is required, Dr. Shah and the VitalCare team can refer you to a specialist in the Chesterfield community. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate medical attention.

Start feeling better today! Call us at (804) 256-8282 or schedule an appointment online to schedule a same-day or next-day sick visit with us. Our compassionate team will swiftly diagnose your acute illness and develop a treatment plan so you can get back to doing the things that you love.