Common Minor Illnesses Treated by a Primary Care

Consulting your primary care physician, or "PCP," regularly can help ensure good health. This typically means every three years for most healthy adults under age 50. After your 50th birthday, annual physicals are advised. But what if you have a minor illness? It can be difficult to tell whether you should visit your PCP. This blog will cover when to call your doctor and when doing so may be unnecessary.

When to see a primary care doctor

Primary care doctors — including internal medicine doctors (internists) — can help with various medical conditions, from minor injuries and illnesses to severe chronic conditions. Below are some common minor illnesses that a PCP can help manage.

Common cold and flu

While the common cold and influenza may go away on their own, a primary care doctor can help the patient manage their symptoms. For example, they may prescribe medication to help treat sore throat and congestion. They may also provide a doctor's note to the patient's employer so that the patient can get the rest they need.

If cold or flu symptoms progress into earaches, a persistent high fever, vomiting, or do not improve in 10 days, contact one's primary care team.

Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infections, or "UTIs," are accompanied by pain and burning while urinating. While a UTI may go away on its own, waiting to see if it will is not recommended. A UTI may easily progress into a kidney infection. Blood infections are also possible. Therefore, it is best to see a primary care doctor for the antibiotics needed to combat the bacterial infection early on.

Strep throat

Strep throat from a bacterial infection marked by a sore, scratchy throat. It is often mistaken for the common cold or flu because it has many of the same symptoms (fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, etc.). However, a good way to tell the difference is to look at whether there are tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth at the very back — if so, chances are it is strep throat.

A primary care doctor can test for step throat (such as with a rapid test or by taking a throat swab culture). They can also prescribe medication and provide recommendations on managing symptoms as the infection dissipates.

Allergies

While seasonal allergies may not require medical attention every year, seeing a primary care doctor about new or suspected allergies may be a good idea. There may be other remedies besides over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications. A doctor can provide allergy testing, then recommend allergen-specific treatments for relief. They may even recommend allergy shots, which help the patient build a tolerance to the allergen, similar to how a vaccine builds immunity to a virus.

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis

Pink eye, medically referred to as conjunctivitis, can result from allergies or bacterial infection, such as adenovirus, herpes simplex, or varicella-zoster (chickenpox and shingles). Pink eye caused by a bacterial infection (bacterial conjunctivitis) is contagious; cases caused by allergies (allergic conjunctivitis) are not. It is recommended to consult a doctor early on for pink eye, as they can help determine the cause, type, and correct treatment.

A primary care physician will likely prescribe an antibiotic eye drop or ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis. They may recommend allergy medication and eyedrops for allergic conjunctivitis. They can also provide other tips to help manage the symptoms, which range from red and itchy eyes to a crusted discharge that prevents the affected eye from opening.

When not to go to the doctor

Not every minor illness requires a trip to the doctor's office. The occasional headache, migraine, or seasonal allergies may go away on their own or with some rest and OTC medication. A good rule of thumb is to see a doctor if the pain associated with these illnesses interferes with daily life, becomes a recurring problem, or worsens over time. It is always better to be safe than sorry — a doctor can provide medical care and certainty about whether the illness is something to worry about.

Call our office for primary care

If you are looking for relief from a minor illness or peace of mind that the illness is not something to write home about, consult a primary care doctor for a professional opinion. We will work to diagnose the problem, offer treatments, and provide recommendations for further treatment if needed. Call our medical office today to schedule an appointment.

Request an appointment here:https://tx-urgentcare.com or call Texas Urgent Care & Imaging Center at (832) 941-1894 for an appointment in our New Caney office.

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