Treatment of Acute Illness

Sore Throat

• Sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of  the  mucous membranes lining the pharynx. It is a symptom of  many conditions, but  most often is associated with colds or  influenza.  Sore throat may be caused by either viral or bacterial infections or  environmental conditions. Most sore throats heal without  complications, but they should not be ignored because some develop into or are caused by serious illnesses.

Urinary Tract  Infection (UTI)

• UTIs may be serious infections that should be treated by a doctor. If  not,  the infection can travel from the bladder to the kidneys. Most cases  of UTIs are  easily treatable.

Asthma

• Asthma is a chronic disease that  causes inflammation of the lungs, making it hard to breathe.

Bronchitis

• Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages between the  nose and  the lungs, including the windpipe or trachea and the larger air tubes of  the lung that bring air in from the trachea (bronchi).  Bronchitis can either be of brief duration (acute) or have a  long course (chronic).

Migraines

• Migraine is a type of headache marked by severe head pain  lasting  several hours or more.

Intestinal ailments

• Intestinal ailments are common diseases or disorders of the intestine that may cause abdominal pain.

Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)

• Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or redness of the lining of the white part  of the eye and the underside of the eyelid (conjunctiva) that  can be caused by infection (either viral or bacterial), allergic reaction, or physical irritants such as chlorine in pools, or air pollution.

Common cold

• The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system,  including the nose, throat, sinuses, Eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and  bronchial tubes. Although more than 200 different  viruses can cause a cold, 30-50% are caused by a group known as  rhinoviruses. Almost all colds clear up in less than two weeks without complications.

Flu

• Influenza — commonly shortened to  "the flu" — is an extremely contagious  viral disease that appears most frequently in winter and early  spring. The infection spreads through the upper respiratory  tract  and sometimes invades the lungs. Classic symptoms are fever, chills, bodyaches, headache, and fatigue lasting 3 to 4 days, sometimes followed by a dry cough, sore throat and runny nose for about another week.

Skin rashes         

• A rash  indicates an  abnormal change in skin color or  texture. Rashes may be  caused by skin irritation, (which can  have many  causes).  Or a rash can be a symptom of something more serious such as an allergic reaction, or an infection in the body or skin.

Acne

• Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a skin  problem that starts when oil and  dead skin cells clog up your pores. Some people call it blackheads,  whiteheads, pimples, or zits. When you have just a few  red spots, or pimples, you have a mild form  of acne. Severe acne can mean  hundreds of pimples that can cover the face, neck, chest, and  back. Or, there may be bigger, solid, red lumps that are painful (cysts). Acne can be treated topically (e.g., lotions or creams) or systemically (e.g., antibiotic pills by mouth).