Urgent Care for Acute Illness Treatment Q&A

An illness is considered acute when symptoms occur suddenly and last for a short period, days to weeks. Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections often cause acute illnesses. However, acute conditions can be caused by several factors and situations.

Acute illnesses are typically easy to treat with medication and therapies, though they may be emergent. Acute diseases can occur in anyone, but they are more frequently seen in children and young adults, whereas chronic conditions are often seen in older adults.

Many things may cause acute illnesses and vary between each diagnosis. However, acute diseases are most caused by viral and bacterial infections. Injuries such as a broken bone, sprain, or concussion are considered acute conditions and are typically accidental. Drug and medication use can also lead to acute illness and drug-induced diseases. Genetics and environment are two other associated factors.

The term “acute illness” is broad and covers any number of conditions that happen in a short period. For this reason, symptoms differ in every illness. However, there are a few distinct signs that you should be mindful of. First, common cold and flu-like symptoms often signal an acute illness, including fatigue, sore throat, cough, congestion, muscle aches, chills, headaches, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.

You should also be attentive to a fever, a strong indicator of infection. If you ever measure a fever over one hundred- and three degrees Fahrenheit, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Conditions may be referred to as acute when the onset is sudden, and the duration is short, or chronic when the onset is gradual, and symptoms are persistent for an extended period. Commonly, acute illnesses arise from infection, accidental injury, or medication misuse. In the case of the flu, influenza viruses cause infection.

Acute pharyngitis, also known as strep throat, is an infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacterium. Infrequent yeast infections (Candidiasis) are an example of acute infection caused by the Candida fungus.

Accidental injuries such as a broken bone or concussion are acute conditions as well. Medications can also lead to drug-induced diseases (DID). For example, penicillin can cause acquired hemolytic anemia, in which the immune system reacts abnormally to the antibiotic and destroys red blood cells, reducing the oxygen transported through the blood that feeds the body’s tissues.

Chronic diseases are developed over time and are often rooted in lifestyle risk factors, such as poor nutrition, inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. This includes conditions like type 2 Diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, which is heavily linked to malnutrition and lack of exercise. Liver disease is another example that can be caused by prolonged alcohol use.

Chronic conditions may also be linked to other kinds of long-term risk factors that are environmental, genetic, socioeconomic, and more. Additionally, chronic illnesses are highly prevalent amongst the geriatric population as the body deteriorates with age. These can include Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, and more. Chronic diseases may also have no known cause, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

If you are experiencing an acute illness or seeking other services offered, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our offices. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Bulverde Rd San Antonio TX, Windcrest TX, Selma TX, Bastrop TX, Paige TX, Smithville TX, Alamo Ranch San Antonio TX, Leon Valley TX, Helotes TX, La Grange TX, Rabbs Prairie TX, Halsted TX, Leon Springs TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Cross Mountain TX, New Braunfels TX, Hunter TX, Zorn TX, Potranco Road San Antonio TX, Rio Medina TX, Rolling Oaks Estates TX, Dripping Springs, TX, Saddletree Ranch TX, and Belterra TX.