Acute Diseases
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 Acute Disease?
An acute disease 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 include the influenza virus and the common cold.
Acute diseases can include these common symptoms:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Earache
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Rash
- Headache
- Sprain
- Minor joint injuries
Through a physical examination and identifying your symptoms, One Urgent Care can provide a diagnosis and individualized treatment plan to care for your acute illness.
Serious Acute Illnesses
Many acute diseases 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 diseases, however, that come on suddenly and produce life-threatening symptoms. These include:
- Heart attack
- Asthma attack
- Appendicitis
- Organ failure
- Stroke
- Severe dizziness
- Sudden onset weakness in extremities
- Severe allergic reaction
- Chest pain
- Respiratory failure
- Large open lacerations
- Open fractures
- Head trauma
- Severe stomach pain
If you suspect you may have a serious acute illness, it's important that you call 911 or go to the emergency department. By seeking treatment for your serious acute illness as soon as possible, you lessen the chance for further complications or other long-term health issues.