How Long Do Acute Illnesses Last?

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At Nest Family Medicine, we offer acute symptom care for patients of all ages throughout Plano, TX. Acute illness usually occurs because of a sudden illness, such as the common cold, or trauma, like a broken bone. While these illnesses generally only last for a short amount of time, you may need short-term treatment to feel better quickly. Our experienced board-certified family physician, Dr. Priti Ranjan, can diagnose you and provide the best treatment to ease your symptoms and restore your health. When you visit our office, we will first perform an examination and then give you our professional opinion on the next steps for treating your acute illness.

What is an acute illness?

Acute illness refers to any illness that happens suddenly and can also be resolved easily. A chronic illness is one that may last longer than an acute illness, which comes and goes quickly.

Some examples of acute illnesses include:

  • Asthma

  • Broken bone

  • Bronchitis

  • Cold

  • Flu

  • Sinus infection

  • Skin rash

  • Sports injury

  • Upper respiratory infection

How long do acute illnesses usually last?

Acute illness generally develops suddenly and only lasts a short period of time, a few days or weeks. A chronic illness will develop slowly and last months or even years, even with treatment.

Signs of acute illness

There are many acute illnesses that result in a variety of sudden symptoms. When it comes to the flu or the common cold, we encourage our patients in Plano, TX to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Because some conditions are contagious, you should seek treatment immediately before you potentially spread it to others. Dr. Ranjan can also help you to treat your mild symptoms from home.

When left untreated, these acute illnesses can worsen. We can prescribe medications that cannot be accessed over-the-counter that can help you resolve symptoms faster. Patients with severe acute illness symptoms, including fever, nausea, or vomiting, should call our Plano, TX office right away. If you’re having trouble breathing or severe chest pain, visit the nearest emergency room.

Managing acute illnesses

When you visit Nest Family Medicine, we will perform a thorough medical examination to diagnose you properly. Next, we will create a treatment plan that may include prescription medications, including antibiotics. Our goal is to address your illness and help you make a full recovery quickly.

While these acute conditions usually go away over time, minor medical care is typically necessary. When left untreated, some acute illnesses can develop into something more serious that requires more extensive treatment.

Learn more about acute illness treatment near me

At Nest Family Medicine, we can diagnose and treat almost any type of acute illness in Plano, TX. Dr. Priti Ranjan has years of experience and training that allow her to treat almost any illness for her patients. Our clinic is open with flexible hours so you can get quality care when you need it. Call us to schedule an appointment to treat your acute illness today.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.