Acute Illness Management

Ram Clinic PC

Primary Care, Internal Medicine, and Aesthetics located in Norwood, MA

You never know when an acute illness may develop, so it’s good to know that you can rely on the expert care of Prabhu Ram, MD, any time you need medical care. Whether your illness is an upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, a headache, or another problem, call Ram Clinic PC in Norwood, Massachusetts, or use online booking to schedule an appointment.

Acute Illness Management Q & A

What types of acute illnesses are treated by internists?

An acute illness is one that develops rapidly and is short-lived. Some acute illnesses may last a few days, while others could last a few weeks.

As an internal medicine specialist, Dr. Ram serves as your primary care physician. That means you can depend on him to treat the full range of acute illnesses that affect men and women. Some of the most common acute illnesses treated by Dr. Ram include:

• Flu, colds, and upper respiratory infections
• Strep throat
• Pneumonia
• Sinus infections (sinusitis)
• Severe headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Gastrointestinal illnesses
• Urinary tract infections

The symptoms of an acute illness typically appear quickly, then the illness runs its course. However, seeking medical care at the start is important to get relief and to ensure your symptoms don’t signal a more serious problem.

When should I see a doctor for a fever?

A fever isn’t always a cause for concern, because it’s an expected part of your body’s healing process when you’re sick or have an infection.

You can call Dr. Ram any time you’re concerned about a temperature above normal (98.6°F), but you should always call if you have a fever of 103°F or higher or a persistent fever of 102°F.

You should also call the office immediately if your fever is accompanied by symptoms, such as:

• A headache
• Stiff neck
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Repeated vomiting
• Skin rashes
• Difficulty swallowing fluids
• Pain in your back

Fevers often develop due to viral or bacterial infections as well as inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

What chronic conditions cause acute flare-ups?

Dr. Ram treats acute flare-ups that go along with many chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are typically illnesses that persist beyond a year. Acute flare-ups are common in chronic skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis as well as gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Acute flare-ups are also common in chronic lung diseases, such as:

Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis causes a long-lasting cough with random acute flare-ups in which you may have shortness of breath, increased mucus, wheezing, a fever, and cold symptoms.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows your airways. Acute asthma, also called asthma exacerbation or an asthma attack, is a sudden worsening of your asthma symptoms. As your airways become swollen and produce extra mucus, you develop symptoms, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, and coughing.

When you have an acute asthma attack, follow the treatment plan you developed with Dr. Ram for using your inhaler. If your symptoms don’t improve, seek immediate medical care.

To schedule an appointment for an acute illness, call Ram Clinic PC or use the online booking feature.