Our Services / Acute Diseases

Acute diseases are illnesses that only affect you for a short amount of time. Many of them are curable, and others simply go away quickly on their own. You can usually tell if you have an acute disease based on symptoms you develop that don’t usually affect you, such as coughing, a fever, sore throat, or nasal congestion.

During a sick visit with Dr. Mohtashami, she evaluates your symptoms and performs a brief exam to make a diagnosis. After giving you the details of your diagnosis, she recommends treatment or gives you strategies to help ease symptoms. 

Many acute diseases are preventable despite being contagious. Some of them have vaccines available, which teach your immune system to recognize the disease-causing bacteria or viruses and protect you from infection in the future.

You can prevent other acute illnesses by staying away from individuals who have them and avoiding shared personal items.

What are some of the most common acute diseases?

There are numerous acute diseases common across all age groups. They develop quickly and often disappear very quickly too. Some are stand-alone conditions, while others are health events related to underlying chronic diseases.

A few common acute illnesses are:

• The common cold
• The flu
• Strep throat
• Ear infections
• Bronchitis
• Upper respiratory infections
• Asthma attacks
• Heart attacks
• Pneumonia

By definition, acute diseases are illnesses that last for less than six months. Chronic diseases, on the other hand, last for six months or longer and need ongoing management. 

How are acute diseases treated?

Some acute diseases can be cured with treatments. Others cannot, but there are ways of managing your symptoms as they get better naturally over time. Dr. Mohtashami gives you prescriptions, treatment recommendations, and health advice to support you as you recover from an acute illness. 

Your treatment plan may include:

• Prescription medications (e.g., antibiotics)
• Nonprescription medications
• Rest
• Staying home from school or work
• Treatments in the office (e.g., injections)

If you need specialty care of any sort, Dr. Mohtashami can make referrals and collaborate with other health professionals on treating you. 

To schedule an appointment for acute disease care, call Shiva Mohtashami, MD, or request an appointment online today.