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Acute illnesses

Acute diseases are health conditions that develop quickly and last a short time, usually a few days or weeks. They can be caused by viruses, infections, or injuries. Some examples of acute diseases include: 
  • Respiratory infections: The common cold, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis 
  • Infections: Urinary tract infections, pink eye, cholera, hepatitis A, rabies, and typhoid 
  • Other conditions: Asthma attacks, heart attacks, broken bones, burns, appendicitis, jaundice, and malaria 
While acute illnesses often improve with short-term care, some can develop into severe conditions that require medical intervention. For example, untreated acute asthma attacks can lead to chronic asthma, and untreated syphilis or hepatitis C can lead to severe complications years later