Acute Illness

Getting sick is often inevitable, especially during flu season. But taking precautions can reduce your risk of becoming ill or having severe symptoms. At Cecilia Medical Center in Ellicott City, Maryland, their expert team provides convenient same-day sick visits for acute illnesses in patients 14 and older. Schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment by calling the office or booking one online today.

What are acute illnesses?

Acute illnesses happen when you get sick, typically from a virus or bacteria. They are short-lived, often going away on their own over time. But if your acute illness, such as a cold or flu, causes severe or longer-lasting symptoms, see the experts at Cecilia Medical Center for an evaluation and treatment recommendations to feel better faster. 

What are examples of acute illnesses?

Examples of acute illnesses include:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• Colds
• Strep throat 
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Pink eye
• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Bronchitis
• Allergic reactions

Anytime you’re sick or have an infection, the Cecilia Medical Center team offers solutions to help you feel more like yourself. 

What are the symptoms of an acute illness?

Symptoms of an acute illness include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Rash
• Sneezing
• Watery, red, or crusted eyes
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Fatigue

If your illness hasn’t gotten better or your symptoms are severe, your Cecilia Medical Center provider is here to help.

What are the risk factors for acute illnesses?

Acute illnesses often spread from person to person via germs in the air or on surfaces. You might get sick after close contact with an infected person who coughs, sneezes, or talks and spreads germ-containing droplets in the air. You might also get sick after touching shared surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. 

How are acute illnesses diagnosed?

The Cecilia Medical Center team discusses your symptoms, checks your temperature and other vital signs, reviews your medical history, and completes a physical exam to learn which type of illness or infection you may have. 

They examine your eyes, ears, throat, heartbeat, and breathing. You might need a nasal or throat swab, blood testing, urine test, breathing tests, chest X-rays, or other diagnostic tests. 

How is an acute illness treated?

Common treatments for an acute illness include:

• Rest
• More fluids
• Over-the-counter medications
• Prescription medicines
• Eye drops
• Ear drops
• Inhaler
• Oxygen therapy
• Humidifier use
• Intravenous (IV) therapy
• Injections
• Specialist referrals

Cecilia Medical Center also offers injury care, as well as immunizations for some illnesses to protect you from getting sick or having severe symptoms. 

Schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment at Cecilia Medical Center to ease symptoms caused by acute illnesses.