Care for Sudden Illness and Minor Injuries
When you or your child gets sick or has a minor injury, many problems can be assessed by video from home. We treat what can be treated, and tell you plainly when you need a hands-on exam, a test or urgent care.
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What Is Acute Illness and Injury Care?
Acute care is the evaluation and treatment of health problems that come on suddenly and usually last days to a few weeks. It includes colds and flu-like illness, sinus symptoms, coughs, urinary tract infections, pink eye, rashes, stomach bugs and minor injuries like sprains and strains. These are some of the most common reasons people need care.
Many of these can be handled well by telehealth. Your provider can review your symptoms, look at a rash or a red eye on video, ask about your temperature and other home measurements, and send a prescription to your pharmacy when treatment is appropriate. Labs, such as a urine test, can be ordered to a local lab. Because your primary care provider knows your history, medications and allergies, decisions are safer and follow-up is easier.
Some problems need hands-on care. A sore throat that may be strep needs a swab, ear pain often needs a look at the eardrum, a cough with trouble breathing needs the lungs listened to, and an injury that may be broken needs an X-ray. Sagebrooke starts as a telehealth practice, so when you need any of these, we will say so and help you arrange it, whether that is a lab, an imaging center or urgent care.
Common reasons to reach out
- Fever, chills, body aches or sudden fatigue
- Sore throat, cough, congestion or sinus pressure
- Burning or frequent urination
- Red, itchy or goopy eyes
- A new rash, bite or skin irritation
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea in someone who is still keeping fluids down
- A mild sprain, strain or bruise
- Ear pain, especially in children
What to Expect
- A telehealth visit focused on what is going on now
- Treatment matched to the likely cause, with antibiotics only when they are likely to help
- Prescriptions sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
- Clear guidance on home care and warning signs
- Help arranging a lab test, X-ray or in-person exam when video is not enough
Our Approach to Acute Illness and Injury Care
Assess
We ask how symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and about your history, medications and allergies. On video we can look at a rash, a swollen ankle or a red eye, and you can share home readings like your temperature.
Treat or Arrange Care
If the problem can be treated by telehealth, we start treatment and explain what to expect. If it needs a swab, an X-ray or a hands-on exam, we tell you plainly and help you arrange it.
Follow Up
We tell you when improvement should come and when to reach back out. If you are not getting better, we reassess and consider other causes or further testing.
Benefits
Care From Home
A sick adult or child can often be assessed without leaving the house.
Thoughtful Use of Antibiotics
Many illnesses are caused by viruses, which antibiotics do not treat. We prescribe them when a bacterial infection is likely.
Honest Triage
If video is not enough, we say so and help you find the right next step instead of guessing.
Connected to Your Primary Care
Because your provider knows your history, follow-up is easier and patterns like repeated infections are noticed.
How Care Usually Unfolds
The Visit
We review your symptoms and history. You leave knowing the likely cause, the plan, and which warning signs mean you should seek urgent or emergency care.
The Next Few Days
Many common illnesses start to improve within days. If a lab or imaging test was ordered, we review the results with you.
Weeks 1 to 3
Some problems, such as a lingering cough or a slow-healing sprain, take longer. If recovery is slower than expected, reach out and we will reassess.
Long Term
We look for patterns, such as repeated infections or injuries, and fold prevention into your ongoing care.
What can and cannot be handled by video
Often suitable for telehealth: colds, sinus symptoms, mild flu-like illness, pink eye, many rashes, urinary symptoms (with a urine test at a local lab when needed), mild stomach bugs, allergy flares, and minor sprains and strains.
Usually needs in-person care: strep throat testing, ear exams, breathing problems that need the lungs listened to, possible broken bones, cuts that may need stitches, and anything that is getting worse quickly. We will help you find the right place to be seen.
When to go to the emergency room
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, a bone that is visibly out of place, a head injury with confusion or repeated vomiting, a stiff neck with fever, or a baby younger than 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Common Questions About Acute Illness and Injury Care
What kinds of problems can be treated by telehealth?
Many sudden, short-lived problems, such as colds, sinus symptoms, pink eye, many rashes, urinary symptoms, mild stomach bugs and minor sprains. If you are unsure whether your concern fits, contact the practice and describe what is happening.
When should I go to urgent care or the emergency room instead?
Go to urgent care if you need hands-on care today, such as an X-ray for a possible fracture, stitches, or a strep test. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, a head injury with confusion, or any symptom that feels life-threatening.
Will I automatically get antibiotics?
No. Many illnesses, including most colds and many sore throats, are caused by viruses, which antibiotics do not treat. We prescribe them when a bacterial infection is likely, because unnecessary use can cause side effects and contribute to resistance.
Can you order labs or X-rays?
Yes. When testing would change your care, we can order labs at a local lab and imaging at a local imaging center, then review the results with you.
How do I get help for a sudden problem?
Reach out through our contact page as soon as symptoms start, and we will help you decide on the best next step. If it is an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Does insurance cover sick visits by telehealth?
Sagebrooke Family Medicine is an insurance-based practice, and we are in the process of joining insurance plans. What you pay depends on your plan, including any copay, deductible or coinsurance. Contact the practice to check whether your plan is accepted, and check with your insurer about coverage for medications, labs and imaging.
Related Services
Feeling Sick or Hurt?
Reach out through our contact page to request a telehealth visit or ask a question. For an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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