What Is Acute Illness?

Acute minor illnesses appear suddenly, last a short time and resolve without any lasting effects. This is different from chronic diseases, which remain for long periods.

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Importantly some diseases can present acutely but have severe, life-threatening symptoms, these include asthma attacks, clots in the lungs, heart attacks, certain bacterial infections, bleeding into the brain and other conditions which present in a variety of ways.

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Through history and physical assessment, a doctor can recommend treatment for your acute illness. Some acute illnesses treated by The Orial Clinic are:

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• Allergies, stings, bites

• Hay fever

• Conjunctivitis

• Cough, colds, sore throat, tonsillitis

• Sinus infections

• Chest infections

• Fever and Flu like illness

• Ear symptoms and earache

• Skin rashes

• Headache

• Urine infections

• Haemmorrhoids

• Indigestion

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Back, knee, shoulder and hip pains

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Severe acute illness

There are some acute presentations that come on suddenly and can be life-threatening. Though not an exhaustive list, some are listed below:

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• Heart attack or chest pain of any kind

• Palpitations

• Difficulty in breathing

• Severe abdominal pain

• Severe headache or suspected stroke

• Severe bleeding that can't be stopped

• Convulsions or fits

• Unexplained high fever

• Meningitis symptoms or suspected

• Loss of consciousness

• Severe allergic reactions

• Severe burns or scalds

• Any condition where you feel very unwell

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These more serious acute diseases require immediate medical care. If you suspect a severe acute illness, call 999 or go to the nearest A+E Department immediately