Acute Medical Conditions

Acute illnesses generally develop suddenly, often caused by a virus or an infection. However, they can also be caused by an injury resulting from a fall producing broken bones or other types of accidents or by misuse or reaction to medications. Although acute conditions can sometimes resolve on their own with minimal self-management, sometimes symptoms develop rapidly and require urgent medical intervention or short-term care.

VIVAA offers same-day appointments for patients suffering from acute symptoms. Instead of sitting through long wait times at emergency rooms or urgent care centers, not to mention the additional expenses incurred at those facilities, you can receive prompt and caring treatment at one of our offices by a healthcare provider and staff who already know you and are attuned to your needs.

We will do our best to manage all the acute conditions in an office-based setting so you don't have to waste your valuable time and money in a hospital or emergency room. Our doctors are also available after regular office hours to answer your questions if you have a health condition you believe should be addressed immediately.

ACUTE VS. CHRONIC CONDITIONS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The conditions we experience are either classified as acute or chronic. As we age, our organs and immune systems change, often making us more susceptible to illness. The term acute can distinguish illness or injuries from a chronic variation of a condition. Acute can also be used to emphasize suddenness or severity. However, it’s important to remember that acute does not necessarily mean the illness or injury is severe enough to be lethal. A broken toe is an acute injury unlikely to cause significant or life-threatening complications. An acute illness usually starts rapidly but poses more annoyance than anything else.

Chronic diseases, on the other hand, have a slow progression that builds over time and tends to be long-lasting. Some back and forth can occur between acute and chronic conditions. For example, patients can develop a long-lasting chronic disease following a sudden injury, or asthma can develop after a bout of pneumonia. Similarly, chronic health conditions might increase the patient’s chances of experiencing an acute illness or injury. Chronic diseases can be managed but not cured and may have warning signs or no signs at all. Common chronic conditions are arthritis, asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure, to name a few.

SOME OF THE ACUTE MEDICAL CONDITIONS WE TREAT 

• Upper respiratory infections, including the common cold
• Ear pain/infections
• Sore throat/throat pain
• Fever/flu symptoms
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Urinary tract infections, including urinary frequency and pain on urination
• Blood in urine or stool
• Boils or skin/nail infections
• Rash, itching, hives
• Vaginal/Pelvic/Rectal pain
• Vaginal discharge

Treating an acute condition or injury in a timely manner is vital so that the problem does not result in severe complications or become a chronic condition. In many cases, it’s essential to receive a complete examination from one of our doctors for a correct diagnosis. Some common symptoms can have a range of causes and may require further testing if you don’t favorably respond to treatment.

EXAMPLES OF COMMON ACUTE ILLNESSES

Call 425-250-9999 for a same-day appointment, and we will try our best to get you into the office as soon as possible.