Minor Illness and Injuries

It’s important to get expert medical attention for minor illnesses and injuries that you can’t care for at home. At Honeycomb Medical Group’s four offices in Memphis, Tennessee, and Holly Springs, Mississippi, patients enjoy prompt access to urgent care services for everything from flu and abdominal pain to cuts and soft tissue strains. Call your nearest Honeycomb Medical Group office to book an appointment or request a consultation online today. 

What are minor illnesses and injuries?

Minor illnesses are common conditions that most people get now and then, such as:

• Colds and flu
• Sinusitis
• Ear and eye infections
• Constipation
• Stomach flu
• Rashes and hives
• Headaches
• Coughs and sore throats
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Minor illnesses can be unpleasant, causing symptoms like fever, pain, nasal congestion, weakness, nausea, and loss of appetite, but typically aren’t life-threatening and don’t require emergency hospital treatment. Minor injuries include cuts, burns, scalds, abrasions, puncture wounds, strains, and sprains.

When should I seek help for minor illnesses and injuries?

You can often manage minor illnesses and injuries yourself without needing medical help.

If you’re sick, rest, plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter medicines should help you recover with no lasting effects. First aid for wounds involves thoroughly cleaning the injury and using a dressing to keep it clean while it heals. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) help with strains and sprains.

However, if your symptoms don’t improve, you’re in a lot of pain, or you have a wound that might need stitches, you should contact Honeycomb Medical Group for advice. People who are more vulnerable to complications, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions, might benefit from earlier intervention.

For example, a cold or flu could develop into bronchitis or pneumonia. A UTI could travel to the kidneys and cause a more serious infection, or if you have diabetes, a small wound could ulcerate. Speak to your provider for advice if you have any concerns about minor illnesses and injuries.

How are minor illnesses and injuries treated?

The treatment your Honeycomb Medical Group provider recommends depends on the type of illness or injury and its severity. They may take blood, urine, or other samples for lab testing if they are concerned about your symptoms. For injuries, they may send you for an X-ray or other diagnostic imaging procedure.

You might require medications to reduce pain or antibiotics for a bacterial infection. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, so they can’t treat colds and flu. However, your provider might suggest a sinus cocktail shot, an injection that reduces cold and sinusitis symptoms.

You may need stitches for a wound and specialized dressings for a burn or scald. If you have a puncture wound or are at risk of tetanus, you might need a tetanus immunization booster. Your provider ensures you know how to care for your minor illness or injury and advises on any follow-up appointments you might need.

Call Honeycomb Medical Group or book an appointment online today for prompt, expert care of minor illnesses and injuries.