Acute Illness

Acute Illness services offered in Bossier City, LA

Feeling anxious about problems and challenges is perfectly natural, but you could have an anxiety disorder if these feelings take over your life. Corine Bowman, MD, and her colleagues at Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC in Bossier City, Louisiana, are experienced practitioners who understand how distressing anxiety can be. They dedicate themselves to helping patients overcome anxiety disorders using a sympathetic, personalized approach. If you experience anxiety, call Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC, or book an appointment online today.

Acute Illness Q & A

What is an acute illness?

Acute illnesses develop quickly and require immediate attention, whereas chronic diseases typically develop gradually and persist for months or years. Common acute illnesses include:

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Coughs and colds
Influenza
Tonsillitis
Strep throat
COVID-19
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Gastrointestinal infections like norovirus
Ear infections
Pneumonia
Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
Appendicitis
Pancreatitis

Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC offers fast, effective diagnosis and treatment for these and other acute health issues. The providers have extensive experience assessing patients with acute illnesses and determining when the condition requires hospital treatment.

Can chronic diseases cause acute illness?

People with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma can experience acute symptom flare-ups. Common examples include asthma attacks, migraine headaches, and eczema outbreaks.

Chronic diseases can also cause an acute crisis; for example, cardiovascular disease may trigger a heart attack or stroke. If you have a mental health condition, you might experience an acute episode, such as a panic attack, if you have anxiety or suicidal feelings related to depression.

You can arrange an urgent sick visit at Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC if your chronic disease causes acute symptoms.

What symptoms does an acute illness cause?

Acute respiratory illnesses like colds and flu are among the most common problems, causing symptoms like the following:

Sore throat
Runny nose
Fever
Sneezing
Coughing
Ear pain
Headache

You may suffer from diarrhea and/or vomiting if you have a gastrointestinal illness. Flu can also cause diarrhea and vomiting. Rashes could indicate a skin disorder or allergy attack.

Other acute illness symptoms include fatigue, weakness, sweating, loss of appetite, shivering, feeling too hot or cold, and lightheadedness.

What treatment might I need for an acute illness?

Your provider might prescribe antibiotics for a bacterial infection like a UTI or strep throat. However, many acute illnesses are caused by viruses, including colds, flu, and COVID-19, and antibiotics do not affect viruses. Your provider may order blood, urine, or other lab tests to determine how best to treat you.

Most people recover from acute illnesses with rest, a light, nutritious diet, plenty of clear fluids, and over-the-counter medicines. Your provider might recommend acetaminophen for pain and fever, and you can soothe sore throats with medicated lozenges.

Call Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC, to arrange an in-person or telehealth sick visit for an acute illness. You can also book online.