An acute illness is an illness that begins very quickly and is of short duration. A classic example is the so-called stomach flu. While acute conditions may not last long, they can be very dangerous and in some cases deadly. Managing these types of illnesses requires determining what is making someone sick so that a treatment plan can be developed. Many people recover from most types of acute illness with self-care at home, but other cases require treatment in a hospital.
Signs of acute illness appear rapidly. Someone may feel very healthy and abruptly experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, cough, aches and pains, confusion, rash, etc. Symptom clusters that appear together can provide information about the nature of a disease. Causes can include allergies, drug reactions, infections with microorganisms, and autoimmune disorders.
In some cases, the disease runs its course on its own. Supportive therapy, such as rest and fluids, can help the patient feel more comfortable while they recover. Other cases require medical intervention. Acute illness can cause severe dehydration, for example, which can cause permanent damage. Some people can also develop infections that could lead to death or disability if left untreated.
There are some signs that can help people tell the difference between an acute illness like a cold that can be managed at home and an illness like meat that requires medical attention. As a general rule, if a patient develops a high fever, has difficulty breathing, or experiences neurological symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, or extreme fatigue, the patient should see a doctor. Severe pain can also be a sign of a serious illness that needs to be treated in a hospital.
Doctors prefer patients to be safe rather than sorry. If someone is acutely ill and you are concerned that medical treatment is needed, it is better to take the patient to a clinic or hospital for evaluation than to sit at home wondering if a doctor is needed. The best case scenario is that the doctor will examine the patient, determine that he will recover independently, and send him home.
The opposite of an acute illness is a chronic illness. Chronic diseases have a slow onset and a long duration. Some can eventually lead to death. Chronic diseases require long-term management with lifestyle, medication, diet, and other changes.