Acute Illness

If you’re ill and need medical advice for a quick recovery, turn to Linda Clark, NP, based in Newport Beach, California. Serving patients throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Virginia, Linda diagnoses and provides treatment recommendations for acute illnesses to help you feel better faster. Schedule a telehealth evaluation with Linda by calling the office or booking a visit online today.

What are acute illnesses?

Acute illnesses are typically short-lived conditions that your body may recover from on its own without treatment. However, effective at-home care and taking antibiotics or other medicines can minimize bothersome symptoms and help you recover as quickly as possible.

What are examples of acute illnesses?

The acute illnesses Linda can help you address include the following and more:

• Strep throat
• Pink eye 
• Headache
• Ear infection
• Minor asthma attack
• COVID-19 
• Kidney stones
• Pneumonia and respiratory tract infections
• Cold 
• Flu
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Minor allergic reaction
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Common symptoms of some acute illnesses include a fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, or muscle or body aches. You might also experience a runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, or a sore throat. 

What are the risk factors for developing an acute illness?

Many acute illnesses spread from person to person via water droplets in the air or bacteria spread by touching shared surfaces. For example, being in close contact with someone who sneezes, talks, or coughs near you increases the risk of contracting an acute illness. Other risk factors include being in large crowds and sharing personal care items. 

Washing your hands often or using hand sanitizer and not touching your nose, eyes, or mouth with your hands further lessen your chance of becoming sick. 

How are acute illnesses diagnosed?

Linda diagnoses an acute illness after discussing your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. She offers virtual physical exams and may order flu or strep testing, blood tests, saliva tests, urine testing, or other diagnostic tests and discuss the results with you to establish the most appropriate treatment. 

How are acute illnesses treated?

Treating an acute illness may involve one or more of the following:

• Rest
• Fluids
• Over-the-counter medications 
• Prescription medications
• Specialist referrals

Linda provides treatment recommendations based on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms. She can refer you to another specialist or hospital care if necessary to treat a complex or severe illness that doesn’t improve on its own with home care or medications.

Follow up with Linda to ensure an effective recovery, and call her office at any time with concerns about your health or questions about your treatment plan.

Schedule a virtual acute illness evaluation with Linda Clark, NP, by calling her office or booking an appointment online today.