Diseases are caused by infections. In most cases, infections result from germs (bacteria and viruses) that enter the body through the skin or the eyes. The body’s defense system, called the immune system, tries to fight off these germs and prevent them from causing an infection. Sometimes, however, the body’s defense system cannot keep up with the number of germs. This causes an infection to occur. When this happens, it is called an acute disease.
Acute diseases usually develop rapidly, usually in a matter of hours. Acute diseases can be mild or severe. Mild acute diseases may cause fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. Severe acute diseases may cause high fever, delirium, convulsions, and coma. Some of the common acute diseases include the following:
* Cholera – A type of acute disease that results in diarrhea.
* Dengue Fever – A type of acute disease caused by a virus. It results in fever, muscle pain, headache, and joint pain.
* Influenza – A type of acute disease characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose.
* Measles – A type of acute disease resulting in fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes.
* Scarlet Fever – A type of acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium. It results in fever, rash, and pus-filled blisters.
* Typhoid Fever – A type of acute bacterial disease that results in fever, headache, weakness, and vomiting.
Some people are more susceptible to acute diseases than others. For example, children under the age of 5 years old are at a greater risk for getting sick because their immune systems are not fully developed yet.
If you have an acute disease, you will need to take some steps to help your body fight off the germs. The best way to do this is to get plenty of rest. You should also drink lots of fluids. If you are taking any medications, make sure to take them as directed. If you have a fever, you should stay in bed. If you are unable to sleep, you can try sleeping with a cool fan nearby.
In most cases, an acute disease will pass on its own after about 10 days. However, if it does not go away, you may need to see a doctor. Acute diseases can sometimes lead to other problems, such as dehydration, pneumonia, or sepsis. If you have any questions about your health, it is always a good idea to visit your doctor.
