The 7 Most Common Acute Illnesses Everyone Should Know

Acute illnesses come on suddenly, and you never know when they are going to bring your daily life to a screeching halt. Unlike ailments that become more serious over time, these short-term health concerns often come on suddenly and will usually go away after a few days or weeks with appropriate care.

Knowing what the most commonly encountered acute illnesses are can help you to detect symptoms early, treat the sickness properly and know when it’s time for professional medical attention. From the common sniffles of a cold to more serious infections, these ailments strike millions of people annually.

This guide examines the seven most common acute illnesses, what symptoms they cause and changes you can make to avoid them and protect yourself, as well as preparing your home for those close encounters with germs. In the case of a current health issue or for pure preparedness, this knowledge lets you navigate these everyday medical situations with ease.

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Common Cold

Acute respiratory infection is the number one illness worldwide. Most people get 2-3 colds per year, while children can have as many as 6-8 annually because of their immature immune systems and those places they bring them out to at school and daycare!

Cold symptoms usually develop gradually over 1-3 days and include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Mild cough
• Sore throat
• Fever of 100.4 F or higher (lower for infants and children)
• General fatigue

They are usually no worse than the common cold, which clears up on its own in 7-10 days. Symptomatic treatment with rest, hydration and OTC medications can be beneficial in controlling symptoms. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses, such as colds – but they can be prescribed if any bacterial complications develop.

Influenza (Flu)

Whereas a cold creeps up on you, the flu comes on like a ton of bricks. This is a respiratory virus and you can be in bad shape for up to 1-2 weeks.

Key flu symptoms include:

• High fever (often above 101°F)
• Severe body aches
• Extreme fatigue
• Dry cough
• Headache
• Chills

The flu can cause severe complications, especially in young children, older adults and people with chronic health problems such as asthma or diabetes. Yearly flu vaccines make you far less likely to get infected and can also decrease the severity of symptoms if you do fall ill.

Strep Throat

Strep throat is one of the most prevalent bacterial acute infections, which mainly affects children between five and fifteen years old. This infection should be treated with Antibiotics to avoid complications and decrease contagiousness.

Strep throat symptoms appear suddenly and include:

• Severe sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Red, swollen tonsils (occasionally with white patches)
• Enlarged glands in the neck
• Fever
• Headache
• Sometimes a rash (scarlet fever)

Unlike a viral sore throat infection, with strep throat you will not have cough or a stuffy nose. A rapid strep test or throat culture can prove the diagnosis and antibiotics usually resolve the infection within a day or two.

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Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are the airways that deliver air to your lungs. This frustrating condition is usually the result of a cold or some Immunotherapy options or other viral infection, and it can last for weeks.

The hallmark symptom of acute bronchitis is a persistent cough that may produce:

• Clear, yellow, or green mucus
• Noises, such as whistling or wheezing when breathing.
• Chest discomfort
• Mild fever
• Fatigue

The majority of cases of acute bronchitis are viral and don’t need antibiotics. Treatment is directed towards alleviation of symptoms with bed rest, fluids and cough suppressants. But if they have an underlying lung condition, like COPD or emphysema, wait no longer to consult your healthcare provider.

Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)

Sinuses are these air filled cavities around your nasal passages and sinusitis is when they get inflamed and swollen. Although they’re often rooted in viral illnesses, sinus infections can turn into bacterial ones when symptoms drag on or show any sign of returning after beginning to resolve.

Common sinusitis symptoms include:

• Thick, colored nasal discharge
• Nasal congestion
• Facial pain and pressure
• Reduced sense of smell
• Cough (often worse at night)
• Fatigue
• Bad breath

Most cases of viral sinusitis will clear in 7-10 days with symptomatic treatment. Antibiotics may be necessary for bacterial sinusitis, particularly if the symptoms are severe or persist.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Millions of people are affected by UTIs every year and women suffer more frequently from these infections than men as a result of anatomical differences. These infections can happen in any part of the urinary system but are most frequent in the bladder.

• UTI symptoms may include:
• Burning sensation during urination
• Frequent, urgent need to urinate
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain (in women)
• Blood in urine
• Low-grade fever

Early antibiotic treatment halts the spread of UTIs to the kidneys, where they can result in serious complications. The best way to avoid these infections is to drink plenty of water, and urinate often.

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of your eye and lines the inside of your eyelid. This is an easily transferred condition and can be either viral, bacterial or allergic.

Pinkeye symptoms include:

• The white part of your eye looks red or pink.
• Increased tear production
• Thick, yellow-green (bacterial), or thin, watery (viral) discharge
• Itching or burning sensation
• Crusted eyelashes, especially upon waking

Simple viral cases of conjunctivitis are spontaneous, self-limiting and last one to two weeks. Bacterial conjunctivitis is also cured by antibiotic eye drops. Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamine and trigger avoidance.

Prevention Strategies

Avoiding acute illness often simply comes down to good hygiene habits and lifestyle practices that are supportive of your immune system, reducing exposure to pathogens.

Hand hygiene is still your first line of defense. Scrub your hands with soap and water for no fewer than 20 seconds (especially after coughing, sneezing or touching public surfaces). If soap is not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Don’t touch your face, especially not your eyes, nose and mouth – those are major points of entry for germs. This simple routine makes you less likely to contract infections.

Keep a safe distance from those who are clearly sick: When someone coughs or sneezes, respiratory droplets can travel several feet.

Keep your immune system in top form with good sleep (7-9 hours for adults), physical activity, stress management and a diet high in fruits and vegetables. They are amongst the lifestyle factors that help your body to fight off infection better.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Though most acute illnesses get better with home care, some symptoms require a physician’s evaluation. Get emergency help if you have any. Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Nolvadex: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Fever >103°F or fever lasting for more than three days
• Trouble breathing or persistent pain in the chest
• Severe headache with neck stiffness
• Symptoms get worse and not better over time
• Symptoms of dehydration (light-headedness, decreased urine output, severe thirst)

Children, older adults and people with long-term health problems should seek care sooner, for they face increased risks of developing complications from acute illnesses.

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Taking Charge of Your Health

Knowing what the most common acute illnesses are helps you be better prepared when feeling symptoms set in. Most of these problems are treatable and resolve without permanent damage.

Don’t forget that the best treatment is still prevention. Little things such as washing your hands, keeping vaccinations current and living a healthy lifestyle are the perfect prescription to keep these common short-term illnesses at bay.

When symptoms do arise, early identification and a proper response — whether that means rest and home care or receiving medical attention — results in earlier recovery and fewer complications. Keep informed, keep prepared and feel free to ask health professionals when you are in doubt about your symptoms.