Acute Illnesses

Acute Illnesses services offered in Indianapolis, IN

Acute illnesses can occur at any time. Though they usually resolve within a few days or a few weeks, they can cause serious and uncomfortable symptoms. Bryant King, MD, is an internal medicine physician in Indianapolis, Indiana, who provides compassionate and comprehensive care for acute illnesses. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bryant King, call the office or book online today.

Acute Illnesses Q&A

What are acute illnesses?

Acute illnesses are short-term health conditions that develop suddenly and unexpectedly and resolve within a few days or a few weeks. Examples of acute illnesses include:

Cold
Flu
Earache
Strep throat
COVID-19
Respiratory infection
Rash
Broken bone
Gastrointestinal infection
Asthma attack

These short-term health conditions cause a wide range of symptoms. And some, such as an asthma attack, are exacerbations of chronic health conditions.

Dr. King is an experienced internal medicine physician who takes a patient-centered approach to care. He understands that when you have an unexpected illness, you want care when you need it.

At his office, he has short wait times and provides ample time to fully evaluate your acute health condition to get you the right diagnosis and care.

When do I need professional help for acute illnesses?

Not all acute illnesses require a visit to your health care provider. However, if your acute illness causes severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, high fever, or severe pain, then you should schedule an appointment with Dr. King.

You also need professional help for an acute illness that fails to improve with at-home care or gets worse over time. For example, cold symptoms that last longer than a week or cause other symptoms like an earache or post nasal drip.

Dr. King also recommends scheduling an appointment for an acute illness if you have chronic health conditions that might affect your recovery, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or heart disease. Or, your acute illness relates to a chronic health condition, such as a flare-up in pain from arthritis.

What happens during an evaluation for an acute illness?

The specifics of your acute illness evaluation with Dr. King depend on your condition. However, you can expect comprehensive and compassionate care.

During your visit, Dr. King asks detailed questions about your symptoms and at-home treatments. He also reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam.

In most cases, Dr. King can diagnose an acute illness after reviewing your medical history and performing a physical, but he may run diagnostic tests to confirm it, such as blood work, urinalysis, or X-rays.

Once he makes a diagnosis, Dr. King provides treatment recommendations, such as rest, over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, or antibiotics. When appropriate, he refers you to other health providers to manage your acute health problem.

Dr. King may schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your acute illness and response to treatment.

Acute illnesses get better when properly treated. Call the office of Dr. Bryant King or schedule an appointment online today.