At some point in our lives, we will all experience a health problem, whether it's the common cold or the pesky flu. While some will go away on their own, there are health issues that require urgent medical attention, and it’s important to know when to seek proper treatment.
What Is an minor acute illness?
A minor acute illness appears suddenly and lasts for a short amount of time. This is different from chronic diseases, which develop gradually and remain for months on end. Some examples of minor acute conditions include the influenza virus and the common cold.
Minor acute illnesses can include these common symptoms:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Earache
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Rash
- Headache
Through a professional examination and identifying your symptoms, your provider can diagnosis and individualized a treatment plan to care for your acute illness.
Serious Acute Illnesses
Many acute illness can be self-limiting and may go away on their own or can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics or other prescription medications. There are some acute illness, however, that come on suddenly and produce life-threatening symptoms.
These more serious acute illnesses require urgent medical care. If you suspect you may have a severe acute illness, it's important that you call 911 or go to your local emergency room. By seeking treatment for your acute illness as soon as possible, you lessen the chance for further complications or other long-term health issues.
Examples of serious acute illnesses include:
- Heart attack
- Asthma attack
- Pneumonia
- Appendicitis
- Organ failure
- Acute bronchitis
Causes of acute conditions:
- Acute conditions are often caused by a virus or an infection but can also be caused by an injury resulting from a fall or an automobile accident, or by the misuse of drugs or medications. Common home injuries are considered acute conditions, seeking a treatment plan early can prevent an acute condition from becoming a chronic issue.