Acute and Subacute Medical Conditions

Common Conditions We Treat

Our Internal Medicine specialists diagnose and manage a wide range of acute and subacute conditions, including:

• Respiratory tract infections affecting the nose, throat, airways, or lungs
• Influenza and other viral illnesses
• COVID-19 and post-viral symptoms
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Gastrointestinal infections affecting the stomach or intestines
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Fever of unknown origin
• Dehydration
• Acute asthma symptoms or flare-ups of chronic conditions
• Mild to moderate pneumonia
• General weakness or unexplained illness

Symptoms That May Need Medical Evaluation

You should consider seeing an Internal Medicine specialist if you experience:

• Fever or chills
• Persistent cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Ongoing fatigue or weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Pain or burning during urination
• Abdominal pain
• Skin redness, swelling, warmth, or signs of infection
• Symptoms that continue for several days without improvement
• Symptoms that worsen despite rest or over-the-counter medication
• Early assessment can help clarify the cause of symptoms and reduce the risk of complications, especially in patients with existing medical conditions.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

• Diagnosis begins with a detailed consultation, including a review of your symptoms, medical history, medications, and any existing health conditions.
• Depending on your symptoms, your assessment may include:
• Physical examination
• Blood and urine tests
• Rapid infection screening when indicated
• COVID-19 or influenza testing
• Chest X-ray or other imaging studies
• Culture tests, which help identify whether bacteria are causing an infection
• Additional investigations based on your symptoms and clinical findings

This structured approach helps ensure that treatment is based on an accurate diagnosis rather than symptoms alone.

Treatment and Management

Treatment is tailored to your diagnosis, symptom severity, and overall health.

Your care plan may include:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections when appropriate
• Antiviral medications when clinically indicated
• Fever and pain management
• Hydration therapy when needed
• Treatment of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, or other symptoms
• Management of underlying chronic conditions that may be contributing to illness
• Follow-up monitoring to ensure recovery
• Referral to another specialist if additional care is required

The goal is not only to treat the current illness, but also to identify any underlying factors that may be affecting recovery or increasing the risk of recurrence.

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should seek medical evaluation promptly if you experience:

• High or persistent fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or severe abdominal pain
• Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, dry mouth, or reduced urination
• Confusion, fainting, or severe weakness
• Symptoms that worsen quickly
• Recurrent infections
• Symptoms that do not improve after several days

For patients with diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, weakened immunity, or other chronic conditions, early medical evaluation is especially important.